Teeth Whitening

Are you unsatisfied with the colour of your teeth?

Staining can occur for many reasons, including smoking or other forms of tobacco use. Certain foods and beverages consumed on a regular basis can also stain your teeth. Plus, teeth naturally start to darken as you age.

Choosing a professional whitening treatment can reverse the effects of tooth staining for a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

Many whitening treatments are readily available for purchase, but professional whitening is generally safer and more effective. Applicator trays in chemist shop kits are intended to be “one size fits all”, which can result in them fitting uncomfortably in your mouth since they aren’t designed specifically for your teeth. Whitening gels included with this type of product can sometimes be too abrasive or can leak because of ill-fitting trays, leading to gum and other soft tissue irritation.

For these reasons, you may want to choose professional whitening instead. The whitening service provided by your dentist may consist of two phases: an in-office whitening session and a customised take-home kit and care plan.

In-office whitening

Your dentist will choose whitening gel in the appropriate strength for your case while accounting for factors such as your level of sensitivity and your whitening goals. This gel is typically applied on the teeth and a special light is used to shine on the gel to activate it. Teeth can be lightened dramatically in only one session.

Take-home whitening

If you prefer to whiten your teeth at your convenience, your dentist may provide you with a custom take-home whitening kit. Your applicator trays will be made just for you, and the strength of the whitening gel will be chosen to meet your needs. You will be given specific instructions for how to use it safely.

After this kind of whitening treatment, you will typically be asked to schedule a follow-up visit with our office to check on your progress.

Keeping your mouth healthy

Even when you feel your teeth are fine, it’s still important to see your dentist regularly. Check-ups every six months usually involve checking for tooth decay, gum disease, broken or leaky fillings, teeth grinding, TMJ problems, and bite problems; monitoring of cheek, tongue, gums, and palate; and screening for oral cancer.

Do not wait till you develop problems to see the dentist – by then, it may be too late and more expensive!