The most prevalent reason that people seek teeth whitening is to improve their confidence and make an impression while smiling and talking with others.
Teeth can stain externally due to a variety of reasons, these include smoking, tea and coffee drinking, medications, medical problems, inadequate oral hygiene, etc.
There are a number of ways to whiten teeth. Some of the ways include:
Purchasing Over-the-Counter Products
Some superficial stains may be removed by yourself. Also, there are even some old-fashioned remedies you can try, like a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
There are a number of at-home teeth whitening products available such as toothpastes and rinses. These may lighten some stains. Unlike bleaches, they don’t change the natural colour of teeth.
Teeth whitening products available in pharmacies and some teeth whitening strips use mild bleach to brighten teeth.
Toothpastes use abrasives and chemicals to remove surface stains. For deep stains, you may need a dentist’s help.
The best way for a person to find a reliable over-the-counter whitening agent is to conduct research, read consumer reviews and read the safety data sheet.
Contact your Dentist
Your general dentist may offer a teeth whitening service to the patients that come to their office. There are several systems-
These take home systems require applications over a number of days (depending on the system) for best results.
- Take Home:
- Whitening uses custom made bleaching trays & whitening gels- Firstly you will need an appointment to take some impressions of your teeth. The impressions are then used to make custom bleaching trays, these are fabricated to fit snugly on your teeth, which ensures the whitening gel has the best contact with your teeth- making sure the gel sits exactly where it should and giving you the best result. Once the trays are made you will be contacted to come in and collect your bleaching kit and you will be instructed on how to use the trays and gel to ensure you get the best results. The trays need to be maintained by keeping them clean and fresh gels can be purchased from our practice.
- Whitening using prefilled whitening trays are ready to use straight out of the box. With no moulds required- it is fast, simple and fits right in.
- In-chair:This is a professional whitening system. We, at Robina Family Dental Surgery, have the option of the Zoom!® In Office Teeth Whitening. The cheeks and gums are protected and the gel is applied onto the teeth. The end result is instantly whiter teeth which can brighten your smile. Advanced blue LED light-accelerated whitening delivers dramatic results in minimal time. In 45-60 minutes, your teeth could be up to 8 shades whiter, reversing stains from food and drinks, ageing, even discoloration from some types of medication.None of the teeth whitening results are permanent. For more permanent options it is good to have a discussion with your dentist.According to the Australian Dental Association, there is a higher risk of experiencing negative side effects from teeth whitening when it not performed by a registered professional. Also, the safety of teeth whitening will depend on your dental/oral health. Before starting with any teeth whitening procedure, please consult with a dentist. Only your trusted dentist can evaluate whether you are a suitable candidate for a particular treatment.