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

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?

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

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 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?

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?

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.

Ready to reveal your brightest smile yet? With over 50 years of experience working in Shepparton, 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 National Dental Care Shepparton and take the first step toward a smile you love.