Teeth Whitening: Is it Safe and What are the Options?

Teeth whitening is a popular treatment for people who want to look their best. Whether it’s for your big day, or you just want to feel good every day, a brighter smile can add to your confidence.

How Do Teeth Discolour?

Long-term poor dental hygiene practices are not the only cause of discoloured teeth. There are a variety of factors that may contribute to why your teeth aren’t looking so bright.

Your teeth enamel has tiny pores just like a sponge. With constant exposure to the pigments and colours in the food, drink and anything else that goes into your mouth, the tiny pores will absorb and be externally stained, resulting in discoloured teeth. Some common lifestyle factors that may be discolouring your teeth are: the daily coffee, your favourite glass of red wine, and smoking.

While less common, there could also be genetic factors and certain medications which may contribute to discolouration, so getting a professional to assess your teeth will be important to understanding which option suits you.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

Our friendly team can help identify which whitening treatment suits you, based on the cause of discolouration, your lifestyle and what you are hoping to achieve.

There are two primary methods used to whiten teeth; in-office whitening or home kits.

1. In-Office Whitening

At our clinic, we use the Philips Zoom whitening system. This procedure can reduce staining that has built up over years, and takes around 45 minutes. After your professional clean, the whitening procedure will involve applying a specially formulated gel containing hydrogen peroxide to your teeth. The gel is then activated with a special light, lifting and removing stains from your teeth.

2. Home Kits

Don’t have the time and prefer to complete your teeth whitening at home? We have two home whitening systems available, the Opalescence Go and Philips Zoom Day White.

If you would prefer the home teeth whitening kits, our dental team can create custom mouth trays from impressions of your teeth.

Whitening trays are usually worn with the gel applied for 30 minutes a day, until the desired shade is reached or up to one week. Everyone is different, so please consult with our team about the treatment method and duration that suits you.

How Often Should Teeth Whitening Be Done?

How long the effect lasts before you want to refresh it varies, depending on the method of whitening undertaken and your personal lifestyle. In-office treatment can last around 3 years, whereas take-home kits often last around 1 year before refreshing. Regular teeth cleaning at your dentist and avoiding coffee, red wine and smoking will also prolong the effect.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Teeth whitening has been studied extensively and is considered a well-established treatment when carried out under a dentist’s supervision. Some people experience temporary sensitivity afterwards.

If used per instructions, your home whitening kit from our dental clinic is designed to be used safely. You will be provided with detailed instructions on how to apply the whitening gel, including the amount to use and duration of application. We caution you against buying home kits online, as the quality and expiration dates of ingredients cannot be verified.

During your in-office whitening treatment, our team takes measures to protect your gums and soft tissue while your teeth are brightened.

At Maudsland Dental Care, we assess whether whitening suits your teeth before starting, and talk you through what to expect.

To discuss your teeth whitening options, call us to book an appointment today on 07 5580 0621.