There are reasons why you might consider whitening your teeth. Perhaps you want to boost your confidence or make a good impression at a job interview. Maybe you’re getting married or attending a special event. Or maybe you simply want to improve the look of your smile.
Teeth whitening is among the most sought-after cosmetic dental procedures, and it’s no wonder why. It can brighten your teeth by several shades and create a more youthful appearance. However, along with its benefits, it also comes with risks.
If you’re considering teeth whitening, you should be aware of both the pros and cons to decide whether or not the treatment suits you based on factual information.
Content Navigation
- Teeth Whitening: A Quick Overview
- Benefits of Teeth Whitening
- How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
- Types of Teeth Whitening Treatment
- What Happens During In-office Teeth Whitening Treatment?
- Do Teeth Whitening Treatments Have Risks?
- Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment
- How to Care for Your Whitened Teeth
- In Conclusion
Teeth Whitening: A Quick Overview
Teeth whitening is not a new concept. In fact, people have been trying to achieve white smiles for centuries. Early methods included rubbing teeth with abrasives, using chemicals, and even applying heat.
Teeth whitening treatment is a dental procedure that involves using a bleaching agent to lighten the colour of your teeth. These include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
When you were young, your natural teeth were probably brighter and whiter. Over time, they become stained and discoloured from food, drinks, poor oral hygiene, smoking, and the natural ageing process. This cosmetic treatment can help remove or reduce these teeth stains and give you back your bright smile.
There are two kinds of staining, which are:
- Extrinsic staining:
This type of tooth discolouration occurs on the surface or outside of your teeth. It’s often caused by eating or drinking certain foods and beverages or smoking tobacco products. - Intrinsic staining:
In contrast, this type of tooth discolouration occurs in the inner structure of your teeth. It is usually caused by trauma, tooth decay, ageing, certain medical conditions or treatments, or excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development.
Teeth whitening treatment is not for everybody. Your dentist may not recommend this procedure if you have oral issues like gum disease or tooth sensitivity. Instead, they will suggest other alternatives with the same purpose. They can also address your mouth problems before starting the whitening treatment. However, for those who are candidates for this procedure, it offers various advantages.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
There are several benefits to this dental cosmetic treatment, such as:
- It helps improve your smile and self-confidence.
Because teeth whitening improves the appearance of your teeth, it can give you confidence in your smile. A whiter and brighter smile can boost your self-esteem and make you feel better about yourself. As a result, your overall mood and well-being may also improve. This is especially helpful for your social and work life. - It helps make you look younger.
Teeth whitening can also help make you look younger by giving you a brighter smile. When your teeth are stained and discoloured, it can add to the overall ageing of your face. However, whiter teeth can help prevent this and make you look younger. - Non-invasive and more affordable.
Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, such as dental veneers, teeth whitening is non-invasive. This means that it doesn’t require any alteration to your natural teeth. Plus, it’s more affordable than other options, making it a more popular choice.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The process of teeth whitening is simple. As mentioned above, the bleaching agent in teeth whitening products contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These agents break down tooth stains and dark colours, making them appear less concentrated. As a result, your teeth will look whiter.
Types of Teeth Whitening Treatment
The process of teeth whitening is simple. As mentioned above, the bleaching agent in teeth whitening products contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These agents break down tooth stains and dark colours, making them appear less concentrated. As a result, your teeth will look whiter.
1. In-office/In-Chair Whitening
As the name suggests, this type of treatment is done in a dental office by a dentist or a qualified dental professional. Generally, it takes up to one hour to complete, or more if you have very discoloured teeth. You may also require more sessions to achieve your desired results.
In-office whitening is the most effective type of treatment because it uses higher concentrations of bleaching agents than at-home treatments. Your dentist takes preventive measures to protect your gums and teeth because the active ingredients in the procedure can be quite strong.
2. At-Home Teeth Whitening
On the other hand, at-home whitening is a more convenient and affordable option. It uses lower concentrations of bleaching agents than in-office treatment.
You can choose from various at-home treatment options, such as:
- Whitening toothpaste:
This type of toothpaste contains mild abrasives and chemicals that help remove surface stains. - Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels:
These products are applied to your teeth for a certain period of time, typically half an hour to one hour per day. The results are not as dramatic or immediate as an in-office treatment, but they are still noticeable. - Customised mouth trays with whitening gel:
You can get this customised take-home whitening kit from your dentist. They fit over your teeth and help keep the whitening gel in place, allowing it to work more effectively. - Teeth whitening rinses or mouthwashes:
Teeth whitening mouthwashes or rinses contain hydrogen peroxide, which helps remove or minimise surface stains. Their results are less noticeable than other over-the-counter whitening kits.
When it comes to at-home treatment, you need to be patient because it can take several days, weeks, or longer to see results. It’s also essential to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your teeth and gums.
What Happens During In-office Teeth Whitening Treatment?
If you decide on in-office teeth whitening treatment, your dentist will assess your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy enough for the procedure. If you have any active gum disease, sensitive teeth, cavities, or other dental problems, your dentist will manage them first before proceeding with the whitening treatment. Sometimes they recommend other options, like veneers, dental crowns, or bonding, which can achieve similar results, if necessary.
Once your dentist gives you the go-ahead, they will prepare your teeth for treatment by:
- Applying a gel or rubber dam to your gums to help protect them from the bleaching agent.
- Put a cheek retractor in your mouth to help hold your cheeks and lips out of the way so your dentist can easily access the front surfaces of your teeth.
- Put on safety glasses to help protect your eyes from the bleaching agent.
- Your dentist will apply the bleaching agent to your teeth after taking these precautions. They will usually use a laser or special light along with the bleaching gel to enhance its effect. The light helps activate the chemicals in the gel, which speeds up the whitening process. They may need to repeat this step depending on the colour of your teeth and your desired shade.
- After your session, your dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions. Remember, depending on the severity of your tooth stains; you may need more than one session to achieve your desired results.
Do Teeth Whitening Treatments Have Risks?
Alongside the benefits are the risks of teeth whitening, especially when using over-the-counter tooth whiteners at home. These may include:
- Teeth sensitivity.
Teeth whitening treatments can cause your teeth to become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This is temporary and will go away a few days after treatment. If it persists, stop using the whitening product and see your dentist. - Gum irritation.
You may also experience temporary gum irritation after teeth whitening. This usually results from the product getting on your gums. Rinse or wash your mouth with water to remove it and prevent further irritation. - Uneven results.
At-home teeth whitening kits may not give you the even, consistent results you’re looking for. This may be due to incorrect application, unfinished treatments, or your teeth responding differently to the bleaching agent. - Over-whitening.
It’s possible to over-whiten your teeth, making them look unnatural. If you experience this, stop using the whitening product and see your dentist for professional help.
Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment
Although teeth whitening comes with risks, it is generally a safe and cost-effective procedure. The cost of teeth whitening treatment differs based on the type of treatment you choose, your dentist, location, and individual condition.
On average, you can expect to spend $240 per tooth, plus $280 for a complimentary consultation and plaque removal for an in-chair procedure. On the other hand, purchasing a take-home teeth whitening kit may cost you up to $610.
It’s important to note that this is just an estimate, as the final cost will vary individually. It is best to consult your dentist to get a more accurate quote.
How to Care for Your Whitened Teeth
Having a brighter smile doesn’t mean you can stop taking care of your teeth. In fact, it’s more vital than ever to keep up with your oral hygiene habits to maintain your results and prevent tooth discolouration in the future.
Be sure to:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. You may use whitening toothpaste once or twice a week for maintenance.
- Floss daily.
- Use a mouthwash that helps reduce plaque buildup.
- Limit your intake of coffee, tea, red wine and other dark-coloured drinks and foods that can discolour your teeth.
- Cut back or limit your consumption of sugary foods and drinks that can promote tooth decay.
- Quit or avoid smoking to prevent staining and causing harm to your general and dental health.
- Schedule a twice-per-year visit or more to see your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
In Conclusion
Teeth whitening treatment is generally a safe cosmetic dental treatment with many benefits, especially for your confidence and smile. This is especially true for professional teeth whitening is done by a dentist or a dental professional since they take care of your teeth and gums during the teeth whitening process. You may consider this procedure if you’re looking for a way to achieve a brighter smile quickly. However, there are some qualifications you should meet to be a good candidate, which your dentist can assess. Also, after getting your teeth whitened, you will play a part in maintaining your results, including your oral hygiene, lifestyle, and eating habits.
Call Comfort Care Dental now at (08) 9349-0800 to book an appointment to see if this procedure is right for you. You may also drop by our clinic at 210 Jones Street, Balcatta, Western Australia 6021, so we can discuss your options with you in person.
Comfort Care Dental offers teeth whitening treatments and other dental care services. Our warm dentists will work with you to ensure you get favourable outcomes. We offer both in-chair and take-home teeth whitening kits, so we can tailor the treatment to your needs. Either way, we’ll ensure you are well informed about the process, the risks, and the benefits so you can finally decide on your smile.