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.

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

Some of the most-common causes for stained and discoloured teeth include:

• Dark-coloured foods and beverages such as coffee and tea, red wine or even soy sauce
• Smoking and tobacco use can make your teeth look yellow or even brown
• Poor oral hygiene as stains tend to stick to plaque build up

There are also some unavoidable causes of teeth discolouration such as older age, certain health conditions and even some medications.

Is teeth whitening right for me?

Everybody is different, so whether teeth whitening is right for you or not depends on who you are and what is important to you.

The best way to work it out is to talk to your dentist. They will help you understand:

• What is involved in the treatment
• Any associated risks
• The costs involved
• The whitening process and time required

Once you have had that discussion, you should have a good idea if teeth whitening sounds right for you, but if you have any other questions or concerns, make sure you raise them with your dentist. They are the very best person to give you all the information you need.

Are there any side effects of teeth whitening?

Under the supervision of a dental professional, teeth whitening is generally considered safe, however, like everything there are some risks.

The most-common side effects of teeth whitening include:

• Increased tooth sensitivity, particularly to hot or cold temperatures. Tooth sensitivity usually occurs at the time of treatment and can last several days
• 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

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.

Making your pearly whites shine with professional teeth whitening can transform how you feel about your smile and yourself.

So, if you are considering taking the next step towards a brighter, whiter smile, National Dental Care Erina can help. We offer a range of quick, easy and professional solutions that can help transform your teeth. With 30 years working with the community in Erina, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible solution for you.

Make an appointment today and discover what a difference we can make.