Teeth Whitening
Brighten your smile with at-home or professional teeth whitening.
If you've been longing for whiter teeth, you're not alone. Teeth whitening has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more people recognise the impact it can have on their smiles.
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.
Interested in teeth whitening?
Dental whitening can make a massive difference for a person with discoloured teeth. If you are tired of having dull, yellow teeth, contact our friendly team and schedule a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Typically, teeth whitening is a safe treatment, especially when completed by a trained professional. However, there are some minor, short-term side effects that some patients may notice.
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Tingling of the gums
- Skin irritation if the gel comes into contact with your skin
- Irritated throat if you ingest the gel
Speak to your dentist if you experience any of these symptoms.
The effects of teeth whitening will last anywhere from 6 months to 2-3 years. The whitening effects will fade sooner if you smoke, don’t brush and floss often, and consume staining substances such as red wine and coffee.
It will last longer if you minimise these substances and take good care of your oral health.
Teeth whitening costs vary depending on the treatment you choose, the condition of your teeth, and your health fund cover. Give our friendly team a call today for more information on costs.
No. Teeth whitening is a procedure that lightens the enamel of your natural teeth via a gel. This does not affect the colour of dental crowns, veneers, or composite resin (white fillings).
If you wish for a crown, veneer, or fillings to match the colour of your teeth; you will need to discuss this with your dentist as additional work may be required.
Teeth whitening is not recommended for children under the age of 16, those with dental issues such as gum disease or cavities, and anyone who is pregnant.
Your dental professional can help you determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.