If you want to brighten your smile for a younger, healthier appearance, you may turn to teeth whitening treatments. To choose the appropriate teeth whitening procedure, discuss how to get white teeth with your dentist and learn what methods they offer to whiten teeth.
Why Teeth Become Discoloured?
When considering teeth whitening treatments to whiten teeth, it is helpful to understand how teeth become discoloured. There are many reasons your teeth become off-white, yellow, or grey, including:
- Ageing
- Enamel thinning
- Tannin-rich diets (dark sauces, curries, coffee, tea, red wine, etc.)
- Nicotine use
- Using certain medications like antibiotics
- Undergoing radiation treatment for cancer
The procedure your dentist recommends for teeth whitening may vary based on the reason for your tooth discolouration. For instance, if you routinely drink black coffee or have a smoking habit, let your dentist know so they can decide which of their teeth whitening treatments is right for your smile.
How to Get White Teeth?
When considering how to get white teeth, the best method is to visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening. Sydney Dental Group offers two types of professional teeth whitening treatments: Philips Zoom teeth whitening performed in the clinic by your dentist and Zoom teeth whitening with at-home kits overseen by your dentist.
When you come into the clinic to discuss teeth whitening treatments, your dentist performs a dental exam. During this visit, they assess your oral health, pay special attention to your gums and teeth, and determine if you are a good candidate for the Zoom procedure to whiten teeth.
If your teeth are chipped, cracked, or you have untreated cavities, you may not be an ideal candidate for the gel-based teeth whitening treatment.
If you are a good candidate for Zoom whitening, you will continue to discuss how to get white teeth with your dentist. Your dentist will suggest how to best whiten teeth for your situation and go over the details of each procedure.
In-Chair Zoom Whitening
The in-chair Zoom whitening procedure is performed by your dentist and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Your dentist covers your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed. They apply a bleaching gel made of mainly hydrogen peroxide onto your teeth. Then your dentist uses a blue UV light to activate the gel.
For about 1o to 15 minutes, the gel works, lifting stains and other discolouration. It soaks through the top layer of your tooth into the dentine. Dentine is softer than enamel and allows the whitening chemicals to react with molecules that cause tooth discolouration. As a result of the chemical reactions, the dentine lightens, giving your teeth a whiter appearance.
The dentist repeats the gel application and UV light process three times before completion. Finally, a desensitising fluoride gel is applied to your teeth to reduce sensitivity. You’ll leave the appointment with a noticeably brighter smile, up to eight shades lighter.
At-Home Zoom Whitening
Another method your dentist may offer you when discussing how to get white teeth is at-home Zoom whitening. You’ll see these results more gradually than in-chair whitening, but it’s great for the busy individual who wants to whiten teeth on their own schedule.
The whitening trays can be worn during the day or at night, depending on the concentration of gel you use. You will see noticeable results within two weeks.
For this treatment, you will have to set up an initial visit so your dentist can get an impression of your teeth for custom-fit whitening trays.
Once your trays are made, your dentist instructs you on filling them with the whitening solution, placing them correctly over your teeth, and how long you need to wear them to whiten teeth effectively.
When performed correctly and with appropriate dentist supervision, Zoom at-home whitening kits give you a final product comparable to the in-chair procedure.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Non-Professional Teeth Whitening
When considering whitening your teeth, you may come across teeth whitening options that are over-the-counter or provided by non-dental practitioners. Although these services may appear less costly than professional dental whitening, they are also less effective and potentially dangerous.
If you opt for teeth whitening from a non-professional, you may risk the health of your teeth and gums. Unqualified practitioners do not receive the required training to assess whether teeth whitening is safe for you.
Additionally, they may use harmful teeth whitening chemicals that can permanently destroy your tooth enamel or leave you with chemical burns on your gums.
A professional, trained dental practitioner with Sydney Dental Group is the ideal option for safe, effective teeth whitening.
Brighten Your Smile in Baulkham Hills
If you are thinking about brightening your teeth for a more confident smile, make an appointment to discuss treatment options with your dentist at Sydney Dental Group. We are happy to go over our available teeth whitening treatments and assess which is right for your oral health. Contact us on (02) 9158 6135 or make an appointment online.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
