Professional teeth whitening is considered a safe and effective treatment.
If you have noticed stains and discolouration on the surface of your teeth, you might consider a whitening treatment. For the best results, it is advisable to consult with your dentist about your whitening options — professional treatments are safer and more effective than over-the-counter products. Read on to find out more about what a teeth whitening treatment involves, the possible side effects, and what kind of results you can expect…
What are the options?
If you choose to undergo a professional whitening treatment, you can choose between in-office or take-home bleaching. In-office treatment takes place in the dental chair and generally takes around two hours to complete. During the treatment, your dentist will cover the gums for protection before applying a whitening gel to the teeth. This whitening gel works by breaking up stains on the teeth, leaving them looking whiter and brighter than before.
If you choose a take-home whitening treatment, your dentist will provide you with a set of custom-made bleaching trays in which whitening material is placed. Your dentist will let you know how much whitening treatment to use and how long you should wear your bleaching trays to achieve optimal results.
Is it safe?
With the guidance of a fully qualified dentist, whitening treatments are both safe and effective. There are, however, a few possible side effects that can occur. It is important to know that higher concentrations of bleach are used in an in-office treatment compared to a take-home kit. This can cause irritation of the gums if they come in contact with the bleach.
Another possible side effect of whitening treatment is sensitivity during the procedure. If you are prone to tooth sensitivity, you may experience some discomfort — let your dentist know if you feel any pain during your treatment.
We recommend that you have a dental check-up and clean before your teeth are whitened as teeth with decay, fractures, or broken fillings are more likely to experience discomfort than healthy teeth during the whitening process.
Is it possible to maintain the results?
If you have had a whitening treatment and would like to maintain your bright smile for as long as possible, it is best to practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis. This means brushing your teeth regularly to make sure that plaque doesn’t build up and seeing your dentist for regular check-ups.
Although your teeth will look white and bright following treatment, it is still possible for them to stain when you consume dark-coloured foods and drinks. Try and enjoy stain-causing foods and drinks, like coffee, red wine, berries and cola, in moderation only; and rinse your mouth with water soon after consuming anything that could discolour your teeth.
How can we help?
At My Dental Care @ West End, we offer both in-office and take-home whitening treatments. If you’re not sure which one is best for you, we encourage you to come in for a consultation so that we can advise you on a treatment that suits your needs, lifestyle and aesthetic goals.
If you would like to make an appointment to see us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to helping you enhance the appearance of your smile with a safe and effective cosmetic treatment.
