Your may have seen movie stars and your friends both get results from teeth whitening - but how does this cosmetic dental procedure actually work? Here, our North Sydney dentists shed light on how the teeth whitening process brightens your smile.
What is teeth whitening?
Our teeth naturally get darker as we age. This gradual change in colour can be a side effect of lifestyle factors such as drinking dark beverages like tea, coffee or alcohol, taking certain medications, smoking and general wear and tear from years of use.
Professional teeth whitening treatments use peroxide-based bleaching agents in order to lighten the colour and your teeth and to reduce the appearance of surface-level stains. As the peroxide in the whitening gel breaks down, oxygen actions on the enamel of your teeth, creating a whitening effect.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Our Office
Professional teeth whitening treatments at a dental office are popular treatments for some patients since the procedure can usually be completed in as few as one or two sessions.
Professional teeth whitening in the dental office is a popular treatment for many patients, as we can usually complete the full process in one or two sessions.
During your in-office whitening treatment, the dentist will start by placing a rubber shield over your gums to protect them from the whitening solution.
Next, they will apply the bleaching solution to your teeth with a small brush-like applicator. The solution will be left to work on your teeth for 15 minutes under a low-heat lamp. Your hygienist will then clear the solution and repeat the application process.
This process usually takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. For some patients, one session may be enough, but depending on your specific case, you may require more treatments to achieve the whitening effect you had in mind.
Professional Teeth Whitening At Home
Look up “how to whiten teeth” online and you’ll soon find a wide range of at-home teeth whitening options. While these present one alternative, they are not quite as strong or as effective as the teeth whitening kits at our North Sydney dental office.
Our teeth whitening treatments come with custom whitening trays and specific instructions about how and when to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your home. On top of this, your dentist will be able to walk you through the process. Teeth whitenig using this method may cost a little less than the in-office treatment.
To begin, you’ll first need to visit the dentist so an impression of your teeth can be taken in order to create the custom whitening trays to fit your smile. You’ll use these trays at home to apply the whitening solution yourself.
Once your trays are ready, you will return to the dentist’s office to confirm they are a good fit. Next, you’ll be sent home with the trays, the whitening solution, and clear instructions from your dentist.
At home, you’ll wear the trays for about 30 minutes every day for approximately 2 weeks, until you achieve the desired level of whiteness. Then, you can use the whitening solution to touch up your smile every 6 months or so.