Dreaming of a dazzling smile? DB Dental in Applecross is your go-to dental practice for achieving the brighter, whiter smile you've always wanted.

Patients today have more teeth whitening options than ever before. From in-practice procedures to kits for teeth whitening at home, patients can safely and comfortably enjoy the benefits of a brighter smile.

Your trusted dentist will review your whitening goals along with your oral health and recommend the best teeth whitening treatment to meet your needs.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure aimed at improving the appearance of teeth by applying a gel, which is then activated by lights or lasers (with precautions taken to protect the gums) that breaks down stains on the enamel and dentin, lightening the colour of your natural teeth.

Teeth whitening options

In-chair teeth whitening

In-chair teeth whitening requires one or more visits to a dental practice. You’ll be in the dental chair for about an hour while your dentist applies a professional-grade whitening solution to your teeth.

Depending on the type of solution used, your dentist may also use a bright light to maximise results. Following the application of the solution, your dentist will provide directions for avoiding staining your teeth for the following day or two, then offer general advice to help keep your teeth white in the long term.

Take-home teeth whitening

An alternative option to in-chair whitening is a take-home whitening kit that includes custom dental trays and whitening gel. Your dentist will provide instructions for applying your whitening gel to achieve the desired results.

In most cases, it takes longer to achieve results with at-home whitening kits because they are less potent. However, patients often like the convenience of whitening their teeth at home.

What to consider when getting your teeth whitened

Have you tried whitening toothpaste and other products promising pearly whites, but you're not seeing results? It might be important to start asking yourself if professional teeth whitening might make the difference you've been looking for:

• Does the condition of your teeth adversely affect your self-esteem?
• What method of teeth whitening fits best in your budget?
• How does your schedule align with the different choices for teeth whitening?
• What level of whitening do you want?
• Do you have any underlying health problems?
• What process for teeth whitening makes the most sense for your schedule and household situation?

Your dentist will want to know your answers to these questions, so be sure to think about your goals and budget before you attend a teeth whitening consultation.

Is DIY teeth whitening bad?

Whitening your teeth can go a long way to improving how you feel about your smile, and yourself. And there’s nothing bad about that! But before you decide if teeth whitening is for you, it is important to consider both the pros and the cons.

• Pros: Whiter teeth in and easy and safe way
• Cons: Some people may experience tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, uneven results and if you keep consuming staining foods or beverages, your teeth might start to yellow again

Once you have weighed these up, you will be ready to decide if you would like the whiter, brighter smile you have been dreaming of.

The leading causes of discoloured teeth

The main causes of teeth discolouration are typically:

• What you eat and drink: Dark-coloured foods and beverages such as coffee and tea, red wine or even soy sauce can stain your teeth yellow or even purple
• Tobacco use: Smoking or other forms of tobacco can stain your teeth yellow or brown
• Poor oral hygiene: Plaque build-up can cause stains to stick to your teeth more
• Aging: As you get older, your teeth become more brittle and are more likely to stain or appear yellow

Is teeth whitening right for me?

If you are looking for a brighter, whiter, more-attractive smile, then teeth whitening may be right for you. Before you decide though, it is important that you talk to your dentist about the different teeth-whitening options available, the costs involved, any health conditions you may have and which whitening solution may work best with your lifestyle.

Your dentist will also take you through the benefits and risks of teeth whitening so you can make an informed decision that best suits you.

Are there any side effects of teeth whitening?

Like any treatment, there are some associated side effects, but they are generally mild, and they may not happen to you at all.

The most-common side effects include:

• Increased tooth sensitivity, particularly to hot or cold temperatures. Tooth sensitivity can last several days, and if it is severe, or doesn’t resolve, contact your Dentist
• Gum irritation in which your gums may become red, swollen, or tender. Irritation may begin within a day of the treatment and can also last several days

In general, under the supervision of a dental professional, teeth whitening is considered a safe and effective way to achieve pearly white teeth.

Interested in teeth whitening?

Ready to reveal your brightest smile yet? With over 15 years of experience working in Applecross, our team of dental professionals is passionate about helping you attain brighter, whiter smiles in-clinic or in the comfort of your own home. With a range of proven treatments available, we can help you achieve the results you are looking for.

Make an appointment today with DB Dental Applecross and take the first step toward a smile you love.