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Complete Guide to Teeth Whitening

  • December 23, 2019
  • bluespa_staging_admin

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, as, for most people, white teeth make for a beautiful smile. While teeth whitening may be done at home, it is safer and more effective when done by a dentist.

A teeth whitening procedure lightens teeth color and removes stains and discolorations. Because teeth are regularly stained/discolored by the foods and drinks we consume or certain unhealthy habits, such as smoking, teeth whitening has to be repeated on a regular basis.

Why do teeth become discolored?

Not everyone is born with the genes that give them brilliant white teeth. The natural color of your teeth is determined by the thickness and smoothness of the outer layer, or the enamel, and the color of the dentin underneath.

The enamel also has pores, which can easily hold stains. Over time, a thin coat also forms on the surface of the enamel, which picks up stains from food, drinks, and tobacco.

As we age, the enamel becomes thinner and the dentin, darker. Calculus or tartar can also cause discoloration. Tiny cracks in the teeth can hold stains. Some antibiotics and too much fluoride exposure during childhood cause staining underneath the surface.

How is teeth whitening done?

Teeth whitening works most effectively on surface stains. Below is what you can expect when you visit your dentist for a teeth whitening procedure.

  • Your dentist will take a photo of your teeth to track the progress of your treatment.
  • You will be asked questions to determine the causes of your teeth stains/discoloration.
  • Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums. If you have cavities, these will have to be treated before teeth whitening can proceed.
  • Your dentist will clean your teeth.
  • One of two types of whitening procedure is done depending on whether your teeth have live nerves or you had a root canal on a tooth which no longer has a live nerve.
  • Vital tooth whitening. This is done on teeth with live nerves.
    • First, your dentist will apply a substance to protect your gums.
    • Next, he will apply of a gel on the tooth surface.
    • Your dentist will then use a laser or specialized light to activate the bleaching process.
    • Depending on the severity of the staining and how white you want your teeth to get, the procedure can last from 30 to 90 minutes and require 1 to 3 appointments.
    • Your dentist may ask you to continue the treatment at home, if the staining is severe.
    • For at-home treatment, your dentist will take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and make a custom-fitting mouthpiece to ensure that the gel will remain in contact with your teeth.
    • At home, you will apply the whitening agent provided by your dentist to the inside of the mouthpiece.
    • You will need to wear your mouthpiece for several hours every day. Depending on the whiteness level you desire, you will have to wear the mouthpiece and continue treatment from one week up to four weeks or longer.

Non-vital tooth whitening. This procedure is used when a tooth has had root canal treatment and the staining has occurred inside the tooth. The whitening is also done on the inside and involves application of a whitening gel and covering it with a temporary filling. It usually takes several days for the whitening agent to take effect and only one treatment.

You will need to repeat the whitening procedure every 6 to 12 months, if you avoid consumption of teeth-staining foods and drinks and smoking. Otherwise, your teeth will become discolored/stained again within a month or so.

You can continue treatment at home, as needed and with a whitening schedule recommended by your dentist. You can continue to use the more effective whitening agent provided by your dentist; or you can purchase over-the-counter whitening gels or strips. The latter, however, are weaker, which means whitening will take longer. It’s important to always consult your dentist before starting whitening treatment at home, follow directions, and avoid overuse to prevent permanent damage to your teeth.

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BlueSpa Dental Collins St
BlueSpa Dental Collins St
3.8
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith
01:44 29 May 19
I've been a patient here for more than 5 years and have been very happy with the care and service provided. Dr. Cartas and her team are always very accommodating, I'd recommend their Collins St clinic to anyone looking for a dentist in the CBD.
MR Pang
MR Pang
06:30 31 May 19
Knowledgeable and efficient dental clinic, very friendly with kids
Kia Yang
Kia Yang
03:05 19 Aug 18
I have been a patient at this dentist for over 10 years and I even though I have moved away from Southbank where it was convenient I still do not mind the travel to see my usual Dentist. Very professional, quick and painless. I totally recommend getting your teeth cleaned, checked and explained to you with Blue Spa Dental. The girls here are very professional and friendly.
Frankee Moro
Frankee Moro
23:46 03 Aug 18
BEWARE! Only go here if you want terrible work done that won’t last!Got 2 front vaneers replaced and things started going wrong straight from the second appointment. My teeth were prepared for crowns instead of vaneers without concent. Wrong type of crowns then ordered. When right ones were eventually made the shape was wrong and they were too tight. I told dr cartas this but she said they’d settle in. They didn’t. Just 2 short years in, they cracked from pressure and fell out. They should last 10-15 years! One star is generous. I advised APRAH who agreed it was all done wrong, audited dr cartas and made her do courses. Save yourself the trouble. DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE.
Tommy Security
Tommy Security
00:43 03 Jun 15
Tried these guys out after my old dentist retired and had a great experience (well as great as visiting the dentist can be). The staff are very friendly and it's clear that all their patients love the place. I go to Collins St but I know they have two other locations which is handy.
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