PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING

Whitening your teeth is an effective, safe and conservative way of enhancing your smile.

While everyday foods and drinks can cause the discolouration of your teeth there are a few main culprits that can speed up the yellowing process. One of the leading causes is tobacco use, followed by coffee, tea, colas as well as certain medications. Not all discoloration is your fault, in some cases it can be caused by getting older, genetics as well as the water you drink. No matter the cause, this process is gradual and what may start as a dull white can still end up turning an unhealthy looking yellow or brown.

There are many options available to you for teeth whitening, some are more successful than others! Don’t play games with your dental health or put trust in those who are not qualified to carry out treatments. The team at Riversdale Dental in Camberwell are experienced in performing this and other cosmetic treatment which when done correctly can be highly effective at whitening your teeth and producing positive results.

showing braces

Options for teeth whitening

Flossing Essentials Camberwell
Whitening toothpastes

Replacing your regular toothpaste with a whitening toothpaste, mouthwash or gel is a great start to whitening your teeth.  The colour improvement is purely from stain removal. It’s widely available and easy to do but don’t expect miraculous transformations. The results are not great and only last if you use the toothpaste. Excessive use can lead to tooth sensitivity because of erosion in tooth enamel

Whitening Strips

This is often a cost-effective way for people to start. You simply place a thin plastic strip coated on one side with a whitening gel onto your teeth. Usually applied daily for a 1-2 week period. May help to reduce light to moderate discoloration but can increase sensitivity and most people are disappointed with results.

Shopping Mall Teeth Whitening Booths

You may be tempted to go to a shopping centre booth or a beautician to get your teeth whitened, but neither are staffed by suitably qualified personnel. Incorrect use of bleaching agents may cause irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. DIY bleaching comes with all sorts of risks and can do a lot of damage to your teeth and gums for no real whitening gain.

Dental regulations say that it shouldn’t be done, and these types of shops are becoming less common. The chemicals used are too weak to produce any reasonable outcomes

Lights and lasers

Common and popular for quite a while now however, research tells us that the light has no effect whatsoever. Peroxide based teeth whitening systems are the only scientifically proven way to whiten teeth

Click here to read more professional opinions about this topic:

Professional Take Home kits

This system involves a supervised and tailor-made regime. After a thorough examination and consultation, our experienced dentist will provide you with a personalised tooth whitening package. This includes custom made trays and whitening gel. Treatment time varies and may take between 2-6 weeks. While the process may take a while to show visible results, it is one of the most effective ways to make your smile white and bright again!

Our team can help you, so problems can be reduced, corrected or perhaps even avoided, and your smile can look its brightest and best again. Our dentists each have over 25 years’ experience and can help you select the best option for your situation

Our experienced dentists have chosen to use the Opalescence Whitening System which has been clinically proven to lighten the colour of your teeth.

Read more about Opalescence

About our Teeth Whitening System

How long does it take?
  • Usually bleaching takes 2-6 weeks.
  • Once you have reached your desired colour, bleach for several more days as the colour will always relapse a little once you finish bleaching.
  • The colour of your teeth should then be stable for 1-3 years.
  • Once you have completed you treatment things like coffee, tobacco, and other products can stain your teeth.Should this occur, your teeth can be ‘topped-up’ and re-whitened by doing a short course of whitening for 1-7 days.
Before you start
  • Do not use Opalescence while pregnant or lactating.
  • Crowns, veneers and fillings don’t change colour when you have your teeth whitened, talk to us about the order you should proceed if you wish to have whitening completed but also need other work
Things to avoid whilst whitening
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke while wearing your custom trays
  • Do not expose the syringes to heat and/or sunlight.
  • Do not freeze the Opalescence syringes but place them in the fridge.
  • Do not place trays in hot water as they will melt.
  • Do not leave trays in the presence of a dog. They will eat them!
Using Opalescence: Instructions for Use
  • Carefully floss all teeth and then thoroughly brush your teeth using toothpaste and rinse.
  • After removing the cap from the syringe tip, express a small drop of gel into each tooth mould in the tray.
  • You will need approximately 1/3 of the syringe to fill both upper and lower trays. Do not overfill the trays.
  • Place the tray over the teeth.
  • There should not be any excess gel overflowing beyond the tray’s edge.
  • If there is, then you have used too much bleach.
  • Just wipe it gently away with a small damp cloth and remember for the next application!
  • After one hour, remove the tray.
  • Rinse the trays under water to remove all traces of the gel.
  • Use a cotton bud to remove any stubborn left-over gel.
  • If you do not experience any sensitivity from this first application, then the next time you bleach, you can leave the trays in your mouth for a longer period of time.
Problems?
  • A small percentage of patients experience sensitivity with bleaching, especially in the lower incisors.Should this occur, reduce the bleaching time.Should this persist more than two days or get progressively worse, please call us
  • Some patients notice temporary discomfort of the gums, lips, throat, or tongue. Often this means that you are using too much bleach. Should any of these symptoms persist more than two days or get progressively worse, please call us. These side effects will usually subside 1-3 days after treatment is discontinued.
  • Teeth are naturally darker along the gum line.These areas may require more time to lighten than the rest of the tooth surface and usually remain slightly darker.
  • Some old amalgam or “silver” fillings may leave a dark purple colour in your bleaching tray; this is normal.
old couples smiling

What can I do to help my teeth look white without using treatments? 

  • Limit food and drinks that can stain teeth Includes tea, coffee and red wine, cigarettes and alcohol.
  • Wear dark clothesThe contrast between your teeth and your dark clothing will cause your teeth to naturally appear whiter!
  • Wear lipstickThe contrast between red lipstick and your teeth helps your teeth appear naturally whiter and is a tactic often employed in advertising campaigns!
  • Practice good dental hygiene.Brush twice a day and floss regularly. Have regular professional cleaning and replace your toothbrush at least every three months, or when your current one looked tired and worn down.
girl smiling

Smiles which require a bit more work

Sometimes it takes more than teeth whitening to bring your smile back to its best. Riversdale Dental offers many cosmetic solutions to help

Veneers

These ultra-thin porcelain shells are fixed onto the front of your teeth and can mask crooked, oddly-shaped, badly-aligned, broken, chipped, discoloured teeth or fill unsightly gaps. The transformation is often extraordinary.

Crowns

A crown is a porcelain cover or cap which sits over and is cemented to your natural tooth. It completely covers and protects your original tooth. Your dentist may recommend a crown for many reasons including covering a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth

Crown and Bridge

Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth by spanning the space where the teeth are missing. Crowns are attached to the natural teeth or implants on both sides of the gap and one or more crowns (replacements teeth) are cemented together to cross the gap forming a bridge

Teeth straightening

When teeth are crooked, out of alignment or in the wrong spot the use of orthodontics can be invaluable in returning your smile. There are now many options available to you and the braces can be less noticeable.

Implants

From a single tooth to replacing multiple missing teeth, dental implants can help restore your smile and preserve valuable bone. Dental implants are most commonly used in situations where teeth are unable to be saved by conventional means. They can be used to replace single teeth, multiple missing teeth or even all of your teeth. They tend to be more expensive than dental bridges and dentures, however, there are significant benefits which you should consider and question when discussing options with your dentist.

Missing teeth

Missing teeth can cause many problems ranging from smiling differently to affecting your ability to chew properly. Gaps may result in jaw bone shrinkage in this empty area and can eventually lead to a collapse of the lips and cheeks, aging your appearance. There are several solutions which include implants, crown and bridge and dentures.

FAQ?
Will my Health Insurance cover whitening?

Most funds will not cover teeth whitening. However, having a regular and professional scale and clean is an important part of good dental hygiene and will help keep those teeth looking clean and bright

Will teeth whitening cause sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is a relative common side effect of whitening however it usually settles once the whitening course is completed. Opalescence uses products which help reduce the occurrence of sensitivity