Teeth whitening is a fantastic way to bring your smile back to life. You may be looking at getting your teeth whitened in Townsville, but there are some questions you should be asking your dentist prior to your treatment. At Deeragun Dental, we offer two types of teeth whitening treatments; in-chair and take-home kits. We recommend always chatting to your dentist before undertaking any new dental treatment, so come on in, give us a call, or book online!
Here are the top 6 questions everyone should ask before getting teeth whitening treatment.
Why are my teeth stained?
There are a number of reasons why your teeth might be stained. While everyone is different, some of the top causes are:
- Highly pigmented food and drink
- Tobacco
- Medication
- Age
- Underlying dental issues.
Regardless of the cause, your dentist in Deeragun can help you decide the best teeth whitening treatment for your tooth discolouration.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Teeth whitening in Deeragun is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can help restore your smile. As in-chair teeth whitening is done by trained professionals, the highly concentrated gel can be applied safely and adjusted according to your dental needs. Furthermore, our dentists can also provide take-home teeth whitening kits, and will ensure safe practice by guiding you through the process.
On the other hand, the safety of over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments isn’t as straightforward. While the gels have a lower concentration, they can be easily misused and result in damage to your teeth and gums. Additionally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are better off avoiding teeth whitening treatments as the chemicals can enter the placenta or breast milk.
In all cases, you should consult with your dentist prior to undertaking any new dental treatment.
What are the side effects of teeth whitening?
In-chair whitening treatments at Deeragun are completed by professional dentists and adjusted to you, your lifestyle, and your dental history. Your teeth may be sensitive for the first few days post treatment, as your tooth enamel is slightly porous during this time. We suggest avoiding particularly hard and dark foods to have the best results.
Contrastingly, over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments have a one-size-fits-all model, and rely on the user to perform the procedure. If you misuse or overuse OTC kits, you might damage your tooth enamel, or even give yourself chemical burns. Chat with your dentist about what options are best for you.
Can my teeth be whitened if I have braces or veneers?
Braces. Your dentist in Deeragun will likely advise you to postpone your teeth whitening treatment after your braces come off. Teeth whitening is possible with braces, but makes the procedure more difficult and often has uneven results that are noticeable when your braces come off.
Crowns, Veneers, Bridges, Fillings. Teeth whitening treatments do a fantastic job on your natural tooth enamel, but unfortunately does nothing for the colour of your crowns, veneers, bridges or fillings. The treatment may lift surface stains, but if you are looking to whiten your other dental work, your best bet is to have a chat with your Townsville dentist to discuss options.
How long will my teeth stay white?
Teeth whitening is a fantastic solution for many of our patients, but it isn’t permanent. Depending on the treatment type, results can last from 6 months to 2 years. Of course, this all relies on the patient taking good care of their teeth, gums and oral hygiene.
How long does teeth whitening treatment take to work?
Take home whitening kits can take up to two weeks to achieve results, and whitening toothpaste can take even longer – often with much less dramatic results. However, with in-chair professional treatments, our patients see results after a single appointment!
At Deeragun Dental, your local Townsville dentist, we provide professional in-chair teeth whitening using the Philips Zoom! Whitening system. The Zoom whitening treatment can achieve results up to 8 shades whiter, and can be done in a single appointment.
Come down to Deeragun to see your dentist for teeth whitening in Townsville. Get in touch with our team or book online now.