Teeth Whitening and How Does It Work?

Do you brush and floss every day but still find yourself wishing your smile was brighter? Even with an excellent oral hygiene routine, certain factors can still leave your teeth discoloured and dull.

Professional teeth whitening is a safe way to dramatically brighten your smile in as little as one visit. In this article, we’ll explain what teeth whitening is, how it works, and the ideal candidate for professional teeth whitening treatment.

 

What Is Teeth Whitening?​

Teeth whitening involves the use of bleaching products to lighten discoloured teeth. Professional in-office teeth whitening involves the use of a strong dental bleach that lightens stains and brightens yellow teeth.

 

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Professional teeth whitening involves a gel placed over the teeth. This medical-grade gel contains a high yet safe concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide combined with the use of light to activate it can quickly break down tough, stubborn stains. This non-invasive, easy procedure typically takes just 45 to 60 minutes and provides instant results that can last for many months or even years.

 

What Are the Common Causes of Tooth Discolouration?

Teeth can become discoloured due to various external and internal changes. While some discolouration can be prevented, some changes to the teeth are inevitable.

Some of the most common causes of stained, discoloured teeth include:

• Surface staining from foods or beverages with dark pigments (red wine, tea, tobacco products, coffee, etc.)
• Enamel thinning from acid erosion (this can result from consuming a diet with many high pH foods or frequently drinking acidic beverages such as soda)
• Natural age-related changes (dentin thickens with age, creating a darker, more yellow appearance to the teeth)
• Trauma or injury to the teeth
• Certain medications

 

What Are the Benefits of Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening performed by a dental professional is a fast, effective way to reveal a brighter, healthier-looking smile.

Benefits of professional teeth whitening include:

• Simple and easy treatment
• Fast results (often, it takes an hour or less to reveal your brighter smile with an in-office whitening treatment)
• Safe, low-risk procedure
• Highly effective, noticeable results
• Improved appearance and self-confidence
• Can whiten teeth that have been discoloured from food, age, tobacco use, and certain medications

 

Teeth Whitening FAQs

• Can I Have My Sensitive Teeth Whitened?

If you struggle with tooth or gum sensitivity, please let us know. We can still help you enjoy a whiter, healthier-looking smile. We can adjust the whitening process to accommodate your sensitivity in several ways, such as using a thicker peroxide gel or desensitisers.

• What Types of Teeth Whitening Does Genesis Dental Offer?

At Genesis Dental, we offer professional in-chair teeth whitening or take-home teeth whitening kits. Our in-office teeth whitening is a fast, safe, easy treatment that leaves you with a dramatically whiter smile in less than an hour.

Our custom at-home teeth whitening kit can also provide dramatic results but this process will require more time. We’ll provide you with custom-made whitening trays and a safe bleaching product that will brighten your teeth in about two or three weeks. We’ll advise you on how long to wear the trays, how much teeth-whitening gel to use, and how to place the gel in the custom trays.

• Can In-Office Whitening Treat All Stains?

Although in-office whitening produces transformative results, some certain stains and discolourations do not respond to bleaching agents.

Teeth that have darkened due to fluorosis or trauma do not respond well to professional teeth whitening. Crowns and veneers cannot be lightened by teeth-whitening products.

• Are There Side Effects of Teeth Whitening?

Some individuals report an increase in tooth sensitivity following in-office whitening. Most of the time, this is temporary and resolves within a few days. Using whitening products too often can damage your tooth enamel or gums, so be sure to follow all of your dentist’s recommendations and instructions.

• Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is generally not recommended for:

• • Women who are pregnant or lactating
  • Children under the age of 14
  • Individuals with increased sensitivity to light
  • Individuals undergoing photochemotherapy
  • Individuals with any type of skin cancer
  • Individuals with untreated dental problems

• How Can I Maintain My Teeth Whitening Results?

There are many factors that affect teeth whitening longevity.

To maintain your new white smile, follow these tips:

• • Practice a good oral hygiene routine that includes twice daily brushing and daily flossing
  • Visit your dentist for regular check-ups
  • Avoid smoking or tobacco use
  • Avoid or limit highly pigmented beverages such as tea, coffee, red wine, and soda
  • Ask your dentist about a home whitening kit to help you maintain your results

• Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Teeth whitening is generally considered safe when you follow the guidelines set by the Australian Dental Association. To limit or prevent side effects, follow your dentist’s instructions on how often to whiten your teeth and what types of products to use to maintain your results.

 

Want to Learn More About the Most Popular Cosmetic Dental Procedure?

Whether your teeth are extremely yellowed or stained from a certain medication, or you’re looking for a boost in your self-confidence, we can develop a personalised whitening plan that will get you a whiter smile you feel proud of.

If you would like to schedule an in-office teeth whitening appointment or have questions about the treatment, get in touch with the dentists Canning Vale trusts to deliver high-quality outcomes today. We’re here to answer all of your questions and help you achieve the healthy, white smile you’ve been wanting.