Dreaming of a dazzling smile? DB Dental in Rockingham 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?

You may have heard that teeth whitening can be bad, leaving you with damaged teeth and gums. But that is simply not true if it is done under the supervision of a dental professional. Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to get a bright, white, confident smile. As with everything, there are benefits and risks involved, so it is important that you consider all sides before deciding to go ahead and whiten your teeth.

The leading causes of discoloured teeth

Have you ever wondered why your teeth are discoloured? You can tell a lot about the cause by the colour of your teeth:

• Yellow staining is usually from eating dark-coloured foods and beverages such as coffee and tea, or even because of poor oral hygiene.Our teeth also become more yellow naturally with age
• Brown staining may be caused by smoking or tobacco use
• Purple staining is usually from consuming lots of red wine

All these causes are avoidable, so if they sound familiar, you may want to avoid them to prevent your teeth discolouration from becoming worse.

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?

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

Ready to reveal your brightest smile yet?

With over 15 years of experience working in Rockingham, 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 Rockingham and take the first step toward a smile you love.