Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening – what’s the deal?

Tooth discolouration is a common problem. But you don’t need to put up with a dull smile. Teeth whitening is a popular and effective cosmetic dental treatment. Teeth whitening products dissolve stains on teeth to produce a whiter colour. It can dramatically whiten teeth that have become discoloured over time. It’s an easy and affordable solution, with a range of options available.

Why should I choose teeth whitening?

Do you often find yourself covering your mouth with your hand when laughing? If your smile embarrasses you, you might want to consider teeth whitening. Instead of putting up with discoloured teeth you can show off a bright, white smile.

Teeth whitening might be suitable for you if you:

Are over 16 years of age
Have stained or discoloured teeth
Are mature enough to understand the procedure
Will carry out the proper aftercare
Are realistic in your expectations

What are the benefits of teeth whitening?

It brightens your smile. A whiter smile looks better than a dull and dingy one.
It boosts your self-confidence. You’ll be able to smile with confidence if you’re not embarrassed about your teeth.
It enhances your appearance. People tend to find a whiter smile more attractive. It also lessens the appearance of wrinkles.
You create a better first impression. Having the confidence to smile creates a better first impression.
It makes you look younger. Teeth darken and become more yellow with age, so we associate white teeth with youth.
It makes you seem friendlier. Smiling more makes you seem friendlier and more trustworthy and likeable.
It doesn’t damage your teeth. Teeth whitening does not damage tooth enamel or increase sensitivity long-term. It’s a surface-level, cosmetic improvement.
It helps you in professional situations. A whiter smile makes you feel more prepared for big situations such as job interviews. It will also create a warmer atmosphere.
It gives you a more positive outlook. Having whiter teeth gives you more reasons to smile, which improves your mood and outlook.
It’s a quick and easy way to make you more attractive. Teeth whitening is a surgery-free procedures, and is quick and easy to do. And it won’t break the bank either.
It helps you when you have a big event. You want to look your best at big events like weddings and celebrations. You will appear in a lot of photos so make sure you are happy with your appearance.
It will often improve your oral health. Whitening makes people more likely to take better care of their teeth to keep them looking good.

What type of treatments are available?

There are a few different types of treatment available.

In-chair treatment occurs at a dental clinic. A dentist will apply the whitening solution to your teeth. They may also use a special light to help lift stains from each tooth’s surface. This treatment can usually occur in a single visit. This is a very quick and effective type of treatment, but is more expensive.

At home treatment is where you whiten your teeth yourself at home. Your dentist will create a mould of your teeth, called a tray, that you take home. You place the whitening gel in the mould and place it over your teeth. Over a period of a few weeks, you gradually build up the whiteness of your teeth.

This type of treatment suits people with milder discolouration. The advantage of home whitening is that it is a cheaper option than in-chair whitening. That you can do it in the comfort of your own home is also a bonus. The best time to whiten your teeth is right before bedtime. This reduces the chance of food or drink staining your teeth. Your teeth also have more time to remineralise and rehydrate. You can also keep the trays to use in the future if your teeth need a colour refresh.

Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains as they contain mild abrasives. Keep in mind that they can only whiten your teeth by about one shade, as they do not contain any whitening agents. They do not give a dramatic result, but are a cheap option if you have mild discolouration. It is not advisable to use whitening toothpaste over a long period of time. This can cause damage to the enamel.

What’s causing my tooth discolouration?

Smoking or certain medications can cause tooth discolouration. So can eating or drinking large amounts of staining food and drinks. Red wine, tea, coffee or beetroot are common culprits. Aging is another factor that can cause your teeth to look

darker. Underlying dental issues can also cause discolouration. Your dentist will help you understand the causes of your tooth discolouration. They will come up with a plan for the best way to treat it.

How effective is the treatment?

The amount that teeth will lighten will vary between people. Teeth whitening will generally improve a tooth’s colour by several shades. Different people will respond differently to whitening treatment though. Keep in mind that not everyone’s teeth will whiten to the same degree. Stained or discoloured teeth will not whiten as much as whiter teeth. Yellow-coloured teeth will whiten better than grey-coloured teeth.

How long will it take to show results?

This depends on the type of treatment you choose. The speed of results will depend on the level and type of discolouration of your teeth. Your natural tooth shade will also have an effect. In-chair treatments can show instant results. At-home treatments can show results in a few weeks. It may take a month or more for whitening toothpaste to show a result.

How long will teeth whitening last?

The colour of your teeth may last up to two years. This will depend on:

Your food and lifestyle choices
The reasons your teeth became discoloured in the first place.
To make the results last longer:
Don’t smoke
Don’t eat bright coloured foods
Don’t drink staining drinks
Have a good oral hygiene routine

No whitening solution is permanent, so you may need touch-ups in the future.

Is teeth whitening safe?

As it is a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t involve surgery, teeth whitening is quite safe. When carried out as instructed, teeth whitening will not damage your teeth.

The whitening process temporarily opens pores in your teeth to lift stains. After the process, your teeth will remineralise and rehydrate.

Over the counter whitening products sold in Australia must limit levels of chemicals. But there can be risks if the instructions are not followed.

What are the side effects or risks of teeth whitening?

There is a risk of chemical burns if the bleaching agent contacts your gums or other soft tissues in your mouth. It’s best for pregnant women and new mothers to avoid whitening their teeth. The bleaching chemicals can affect the unborn baby and enter

breast milk. Patients with extreme tooth sensitivity might also want to avoid teeth whitening. This can sometimes increase sensitivity levels in such patients.

There are few side effects of teeth whitening. Some people find their teeth and gums feels more sensitive for a few days. The teeth can become dehydrated during the whitening process. This leads to sensitivity. This will usually disappear 12 – 36 hours after whitening.

It’s always best to consult a dentist before using any teeth whitening products.

How far before a big event should I start teeth whitening treatment?

People often use teeth whitening to prepare for big events, such as weddings. The length of time for the treatment to be effective will depend on the type of treatment you choose. You will need to make sure you leave enough time before the big day for the treatment to take effect. In-chair treatment may only take a single appointment. Home whitening kits can take up to two weeks to achieve results. Whitening toothpastes can take up to four weeks, and the results will not be as obvious.

Can I get my teeth whitened if I have braces or dental restorations?

Dental restorations such as crowns or veneers are colour-matched to your natural teeth. Teeth whitening will only work on tooth enamel. It won’t change the colour of crowns, bridges, fillings or veneers.

This means they may look different from whitened teeth. These may need replacing if they no longer match the rest of your whitened teeth.

It’s possible to get your teeth whitened while wearing braces, although it’s much more difficult. Your dentist will need to work around the brackets to whiten your teeth.

If you’re using an at-home whitening kit, the trays will be custom made to leave space for the brackets. After removal of the braces, the areas beneath the braces may look darker than the rest of your teeth. A touch-up treatment can help even out the colour.

What do I need to do before I get my teeth whitened?

Before starting whitening treatment, it’s best to have a full dental health check. Using whitening products on active decay can cause severe pain or damage the teeth. The whitening chemicals can aggravate some soft tissue conditions. It’s better to identify and solve these problems before treatment.

How to I prevent stains after I’ve had my teeth whitened?

It’s possible to prevent stains after you’ve had a whitening treatment. You’ll need to cut down or completely avoid staining drinks such as red wine, softdrinks, tea or coffee. If you must drink these, try drinking through a straw and rinse your mouth

afterwards. And minimise foods such as dark berries and beetroot. Drink plenty of water and keep up the brushing and flossing.

What after care will I need?

To achieve the best results, don’t drink coloured drinks for at least 48 hours after bleaching. Avoid:

Tea
Coffee
Softdrinks
Sports drinks
Smoking
Very hot foods
Very cold foods

What is the procedure for teeth whitening?

In-chair whitening:

Consult a dentist to determine the best whitening treatment.
Any dental problems such as tooth decay and cavities will need treatment first.
Your dentist will photograph your teeth to compare results.
Your dentist will clean your teeth.
Your dentist will apply a substance that covers and protects the gums.
The whitening agent is then placed on the teeth.
The whitening agent may be activated by a laser light, a special light or heat from these lights.
You may need between one to three visits to get the results you want. This will especially be the case if your teeth are very discoloured.
You may need to continue the bleaching process at home for a few more days or weeks.

At-home whitening:

Consult a dentist to determine the best whitening treatment.
Any dental problems such as tooth decay and cavities will need to treatment first.
Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth. These will be used to make custom-made moulds to hold the whitening gel.
The dentist will create the moulds (trays).
You will receive a whitening kit to take home and instructions on how to use it.
Fill each mouthpiece of the tray with the whitening gel.
Wear the tray for several hours each day for up to two weeks. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on the length of time to wear the tray.
Stop wearing the tray once you have achieved the level of whiteness you want. Do not over-whiten your teeth.

What’s the best choice for me?

This will depend on:

The time you have available
How fast you want results
Your budget
Your individual goals
Your level of tooth discolouration.

Having your teeth professionally whitened by a dental practitioner is a good choice. It is safer and more effective that using DIY solutions. DIY solutions are much cheaper though.

You should always speak to a dentist before starting any teeth whitening treatment. It’s important that you understand what these treatments involve. This will help you make the best decision. Whitening is a very popular procedure with few side effects. It is one of the easiest ways to restore a whiter, brighter and more beautiful smile.

The most incredible article about Teeth Whitening you’ll ever read