Teeth Whitening
Brighten your smile with at-home or professional teeth whitening.
See our exclusive teeth whitening offers
Discover the difference professional teeth whitening at National Dental Care Rowville can make. Together with our dedicated staff in Rowville, we can help you achieve the brighter, whiter smile you desire.
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?
If you are looking for a shiny white smile, then teeth whitening might be the solution for you, but it is important to do your research and talk to your dentist before going ahead. Teeth whitening involves bleaching agents to break down stains on the enamel and dentin, lightening the colour of your natural teeth. This has some pros and cons – Pros, you get whiter teeth in and easy and safe way; Cons: you may experience tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, uneven results and if you keep consuming staining foods or beverages, the results may only be temporary.
So, if you are considering teeth whitening as an option, make an appointment and you can talk it all through with your dentist before making a decision.
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 reading this, then you may be unhappy with how you look based on the colour of your teeth. It might be affecting your self-confidence, or you might have tried some DIY whitening techniques without enough success.
Regardless of why you are looking, if you are considering teeth whitening it is important that you consider the pros and cons before you make a decision:
Benefits
- Improved appearance with brighter, whiter teeth
- Non-invasive quick and easy procedure at the dentist or in the comfort of your own home
- Safe when done under the supervision of a dental professional
Constraints
- Tooth sensitivity especially to hot or cold temperatures
- Gum irritation
- Uneven results, especially if your original tooth discoloration is uneven
- Temporary fix as the whitening may fade over time, especially if you continue to consume staining foods and beverages
Are there any side effects of teeth whitening?
Side effects of teeth whitening generally happen soon after treatment and may last for several days. The most-common side effects you may experience include:
- Increased tooth sensitivity, particularly to hot or cold temperatures
- Gum irritation in which your gums may become red, swollen, or tender
Your dentist will talk you through any side effects you can expect if you decide that teeth whitening is right for you.
Interested in teeth whitening?
Making your pearly whites shine with professional teeth whitening can transform how you feel about your smile and yourself.
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.
So, if you are considering taking the next step towards a brighter, whiter smile, National Dental Care Rowville can help. We offer a range of quick, easy and professional solutions that can help transform your teeth. With over a decade working with the community in Rowville, 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.
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.