Visiting your dentist for professional teeth whitening treatment is increasingly popular throughout Australia. Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, your dentist can offer treatments with a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, making the process faster and more effective. In this article, we’re answering common questions patients have when visiting a dentist who specialises in teeth whitening.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Teeth whitening is a non-invasive treatment but, since it involves some powerful chemicals, there are still risks if not used properly. Teeth whitening products you can buy in stores across in Australia may not contain more than 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide or 18 per cent carbamide peroxide. Higher concentrations can potentially cause chemical burns, which is why they must only be used by a registered teeth whitening dentist.
Why Are My Teeth Discoloured?
Some people’s teeth have a yellowish tinge naturally. Other causes of teeth discolouration include smoking, coffee, tea, red wine and most other coloured food and drinks. Taking certain antibiotics during tooth formation or consuming excessive fluoride can also cause tooth discolouration. Your dentist will help you understand the cause of your discolouration and whether teeth whitening is the best way to address it.
Does Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?
Teeth whitening isn’t as effective in every case of stains and discolouration. Usually, whitening treatments are better for teeth that are yellow than teeth that are grey, brown or black. If the discolouration is caused by an underlying dental issue, this will need to be addressed first. Teeth with dark stains may be better candidates for veneers, bonding or crowns.
What Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Involve?
Your in-chair teeth whitening treatment at the dentist is a relatively simple and stress-free process. Hawthorn Road Family Dental Clinic uses high-quality Phillips Zoom Whitening technology to achieve the best results. After your dentist assesses the initial shade of your teeth and discusses your end goal with you, they will:
- Apply an anaesthetic on the upper and lower front teeth
- Apply protective silicone on the gums and soft tissues
- Apply the whitening gel to your teeth
- Use an LED light to activate the gel (3 or 4 cycles at 10-15 minutes each)
Most teeth whitening appointments at Hawthorn Road Family Dental Clinic take between 60 to 75 minutes to give your dentist enough time to achieve the best possible results for your teeth. Each patient is different so we take the time to tailor our treatments to the individual.
How White Will My Teeth Become?
The degree of whiteness varies from individual to individual depending on the condition of your teeth, nature of the stain, the strength of the teeth whitening product and how long it’s used. If your teeth are discoloured from staining food and drinks, tobacco or medication, your dentist may recommend avoiding these to maintain the results of your treatment.
Choose the Professional Teeth Whitening Melbourne Loves
At Hawthorn Road Family Dental Clinic, we can provide quality general and specialised dental care services to people of all ages, including dental check-ups, dental cleaning and teeth whitening treatment. Our professional and friendly team of dentists have extensive experience and are happy to help you with your dental issues in a comforting environment.
If you want whiter teeth, book an appointment at our dental clinic today by calling 03 9533 0996 or contact us online.
