Why should I go to a dentist for teeth whitening?
Posted on 13th September 2022
An imperfect smile can often affect our self-esteem, with ramifications in our private, social and professional lives. And from a medical perspective, dentist teeth whitening not only boosts the appearance of your smile, but also improves oral health.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is the process of bleaching or lightening the shade of your teeth. There are many reasons people choose this and, for example, some of the most common are:
- To remove brown stains
- To remove stains or discolouration caused by braces
- To whiten yellow teeth caused by smoking
Teeth whitening is very important to Australians – and to people all over the world. “How to whiten teeth” is searched on Google 2,400 times a month in Australia and 72,400 times globally.
Why go to the dentist for teeth whitening?
While you might think of turning to cheaper, over the counter, DIY teeth whitening products, that can often be inefficient and/or even damaging to your oral health or aesthetic.
Common DIY teeth whitening risks
- Damage to other cosmetic dentistry treatments. Most of the natural teeth whitening solutions people opt for are over the counter solutions such as toothpaste with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or charcoal. But all these are abrasive ingredients and can affect other treatments. For example, if you have porcelain veneers on some of your teeth, they can be affected by the abrasive elements in these types of toothpaste.
- Uneven teeth colour. Even if effective, if you have crowns or implants, you might end up with uneven tooth colour.
- Bleached gums. One of the most common professional teeth whitening treatments involves using trays with whitening gel that get put over your teeth (such as Zoom whitening). But no person’s teeth are the same, and because of the bleaching elements in the whitening gel, if the trays reach your gums you can risk bleaching them as well as the teeth. A professional will have custom-made trays for you.
Before you get your teeth whitened, get a dentist’s advice!
Getting your oral health assessed before attempting teeth whitening is important to avoid further discomfort, expenses and tooth damage and decay along the line.
Getting your teeth professionally whitened means you’re getting an effective, non-invasive and safe procedure. If you have sensitive teeth, a qualified dentist will know how to carry on with the procedure so that you don’t experience discomfort or pain.
Plus, your cosmetic dentist will create a customised plan just for you and your needs – your whitening treatment can be one, or a combination of, in-chair teeth whitening, at-home whitening kits and enamel microabrasion.
An effective treatment accessed by professionals only
Another shortcoming of over the counter products is their whitening effectiveness. One of the reasons teeth whitening doesn’t work is because dental practitioners have access to higher percentages of whitening ingredients in the products they use.
Instead of using a whitening toothpaste for months with little to no results, you can typically have your teeth professionally whitened within a 1-hour session. The strength of chemicals available in the gels we use at our dentist clinic is much stronger than what is commercially available.
How much is dental teeth whitening?
The cost of teeth whitening in Australia varies from person to person and the treatment option, but can be anywhere between $299-$499. Given its effectiveness, the professional care and no- risk involved, if you are considering getting your teeth whitened, a cosmetic dentist is the way to do it if you care about your smile. If you need some inspiration, have a look at our teeth whitening before and after pictures.
Plus, if you have private health insurance, you might get some rebates. Just make sure to check the Extras package for cosmetic procedures.
Let’s discuss your options
Oral health is important, but that’s what we’re here for. No matter the reasons for your teeth whitening, we will assess your situation and provide you with a comprehensive, personalised plan. If you’re looking for teeth whitening in Sydney, contact us today for a consultation and a quote.
