Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening
When you watch a movie, what’s the first thing you notice about any Hollywood actor? Is it the gorgeous hair, the beautiful eyes, the smooth skin, the wonderful clothes? If you’re a dentist, of course, the first things that catch your eye are those pearl-white teeth. But let’s be honest about it, those teeth didn’t just happen – there’s been a bit of teeth whitening involved.
There’s no doubt that neither our modern lifestyles nor the ageing process is particularly kind to teeth, and they will darken and stain. But they don’t have to stay that way – if you’re in a profession where the quality of your smile is important, there’s a procedure that you can use at home.
The teeth whitening tray system has become very popular, and a lot of the smiles you see are a result of this. Here’s how it works. We take an impression of your upper and lower teeth and use this to make a specially designed mouthpiece. At home, you fill this tray with a whitening gel for two hours a day for two weeks. A close fit means the gel stays in good contact with your teeth.
It’s not a one-off procedure – over time new staining will occur – but with your tray, you can repeat the procedure whenever you feel your dazzling whites need a refresh.
We prefer this to in-chair teeth whitening techniques because it allows the use of a more gentle lower concentrate whitening gel. Of course, the added advantage is you don’t have to pay again every time you want to refresh your smile.
Having discoloured teeth can lower your self-confidence. Teeth whitening can help you have a bright and white smile. Teeth whitening involves bleaching the teeth to lighten their colour. You can use it to improve the appearance of your discoloured teeth and improve your self-confidence.
Why Do Our Teeth Discolour?
1. Age
Our teeth discolour as we age. The family history and genetic factors contribute to the natural discolouration process of the teeth.
2. Food and Drink
Some food and drinks discolour the teeth, including drinks like cola, red wine, tea, coffee and foods containing pigments, such as chocolate and cherries. The bacteria in foods can stick to the teeth, causing the teeth to turn brown or yellow.
3. Enamel Thinning
The layer of the teeth wears down and thins itself because of chewing. Enamel thinning exposes the yellow denting. That is why the teeth will look yellower.
4. Smoking
The tar from smoking can not only discolour the teeth. It can also damage the teeth.
5. Poor Dental Care
Poor dental care can lead to the buildup of plaque. A plaque is a clear and sticky bacterial buildup. The plaque hardens to become tartar, causing teeth discolouration. It can also cause gum diseases.
Who Should Avoid Teeth Whitening?
1. Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Pregnant people can develop gingivitis because of an increase in hormones, so they need to avoid teeth whitening.
2. Sensitive Teeth
If you have sensitive teeth, then do not brush your teeth with abrasive chemical agents or use high-concentration peroxide gels. It is unpleasant to use them if you have sensitive teeth.
3. Gum Disease or Shrinkage
If you suffer from gum disease or shrinkage, do not use bleaching agents to whiten your teeth because they can increase the pain and irritation.
4. Cracks or Exposed Dentine
If your dentin is exposed, then the whitening agent can cause increased sensitivity because it stimulates the nerve tissues inside your tooth.
FAQ
Teething whitening is not a permanent solution, so you will have to repeat it regularly to keep your teeth white. The results will not last for a long time if you continue eating or drinking things that cause teeth discolouration.
Depending on the product, what concentration the peroxide is and where it is from gives a better understanding of what kind of damage it may cause on the teeth. In most cases, dental products that have undergone stringent safety measures will not damage the teeth however need to be placed in the correct setting to avoid contact with the gums.
Once you complete the treatment, you may experience temporary tooth and gum sensitivity. These symptoms usually disappear in 1 to 3 days.
You cannot whiten veneers, fillings, caps or crowns. The whitening gel is only used to whiten the enamel. It cannot alter the actual colour of the crown, veneer, cap or filling. You will have to replace any restorations once you finish your whitening process.
Looking for the best dentists in Western Australia to whiten your teeth? Rockingham Dental Centre offers teeth whitening services to people in Western Australia. They have the best dentists who take pride in serving patients of all ages. Contact Rockingham Dental Centre.
