There’s nothing like a nice, bright smile to make you look instantly younger and fresher.
With various products and options for whitening and brightening your teeth, it can be hard to know what will give you the best results. So, here’s an overview of tooth-whitening options and products to clear your path to a beautiful smile.
You’ve seen ads for purple tooth toner. It looks great, but would it work?
Did TikTok make you want to buy it? These over-the-counter brightening products are trending, but the effect is limited and temporary, and some could harm your teeth.
Some of these purple toners are designed to replace your regular toothpaste, but because they don’t contain fluoride to help protect you from cavities, you’re risking your dental health by using them regularly.
Like purple shampoos, particles in the purple tooth toners counteract the yellow tones in your teeth, so they look a touch whiter for a little while. Using one occasionally won’t cause any problems or give you any lasting improvements. Just don’t expect dramatic results, and watch out for staining on your bathroom basin and towels.
Can Yellow Teeth Become White Again?
All teeth can be lightened, but certain factors can affect your results. You can lighten your teeth no matter what shade you’re starting from, but some people will see results quickly, while others will need a stronger solution, more time and possibly other treatments to achieve the ideal outcome. Just like your skin and hair colour, the natural shade of teeth varies from person to person. So, the results of whitening also vary.
Boutique Whitening, a professional brand developed by dentists, explains it this way:
‘Teeth whitening is more effective on teeth on the yellow and white spectrum. If your teeth are brown or grey, they are more difficult to whiten and may require longer treatment or stronger whitening agents.’
‘With all types of teeth whitening products, the results will vary from patient to patient and depend largely on the original colour of the teeth, the condition of the teeth, the type of staining present and compliance with the teeth whitening regime.’
The Causes of Tooth Staining
Many different things can cause your teeth to become stained or discoloured. Your teeth may appear darker due to their natural base shade or staining. Also, your teeth will naturally darken and become more stained as you age. Your lifestyle and diet can impact the appearance and health of your teeth.
Different types of staining need to be treated differently to get a whiter smile, and discolouration can be caused by:
- Extrinsic staining — This staining occurs on the surface of the enamel, such as nicotine staining.
- Intrinsic staining —This staining is deeper and more challenging to shift. It could be due to medications, excessive fluoride consumption, or genetic factors.
- Decay/trauma — In this case, your teeth need treatment before whitening.
What’s the Best Tooth Whitening Product?
Professional whitening will always give the best and safest result.
The products you can buy at the chemist or over the internet tend to be very abrasive and contain a weak, ineffective concentration of peroxide, the whitening agent used in tooth whitening products. You won’t get a great result because the formulas aren’t strong enough.
In Australia, only registered dental practitioners can use the most effective, high-concentration whitening products. These products contain more than six per cent hydrogen peroxide and must be handled carefully to avoid burns and pain from mistreatment.
At Ava Dental, your treatment options for whitening include:
- In-chair whitening — Your dentist will apply the bleaching agent in the clinic, and your teeth will lighten by up to two shades in a 75-minute appointment.
- Take-home whitening kits — Custom-fitted bleaching trays are made for you to take home and wear with the whitening gel until you reach your desired shade. The duration of treatment varies but is generally around two weeks.
Right now, you can get an in-chair treatment at Ava Dental for $850 (this includes a take-home kit) or a take-home kit for $450.
I Can’t Afford Professional Tooth Whitening. What Can I Do to Improve My Discoloured Teeth?
Here are some tips to keep your teeth as white as possible if you can’t afford professional tooth whitening:
- Be gentle — Scrubbing will only damage your enamel and potentially expose more of the yellower underlayer, known as dentine. Improving your brushing technique and cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes such as Piksters will keep your smile healthy.
- Be aware — Darker foods and drinks will tend to stain your teeth, so try to limit them and rinse your mouth with water or brush after consuming them.
- Be diligent — Regular professional cleaning will remove the hardened plaque (calculus), which can contribute to a yellowing appearance. Schedule a professional clean every six months.
Five Reasons You Should See Your Dentist before Whitening
There are several reasons you should contact your Narre Warren dentist before whitening your teeth, such as:
- Your discoloured tooth could be tooth decay. It’s essential to ensure your mouth is healthy and fix any problems before bleaching.
- You may have restorations (fillings) that will need changing to match your new bright teeth. Your dentist can check which ones need replacement and provide a quote.
- Your dentist can advise you on the best techniques/products to achieve a good result. Don’t waste money on things that don’t work.
- Your dentist can provide a professional shade match before and after whitening to measure the change more clearly.
- You want to whiten your teeth, not your tartar, so getting a professional clean before treatment gives you a clean slate and keeps your mouth healthy.
Need More Information about Teeth Whitening in Narre Warren?
If you need a dentist in Narre Warren, our friendly dentists at Ava Dental will be happy to discuss whitening treatments with you at your initial check and clean or your next regular recall visit.
Get a complimentary whitening consultation, full examination and clean at the same time, and we can get your smile looking its best. Call us on (03) 8790 2500 to get started.