A bright smile makes a great first impression. It not only exudes confidence, but it also evokes positive emotions, boosting your mood. Despite maintaining healthy oral hygiene habits, genetics, certain medications, smoking, and diet can contribute to discolouration.
Advancements in whitening treatments in recent years have made teeth whitening a widely available and popular procedure to dramatically improve your smile and your self-confidence. Teeth whitening is safer and more affordable than ever before.
How does teeth whitening work? Whitening treatments use strong chemicals to restore the colour of your teeth. The procedure can cause sensitivity, and in some cases, damage to your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. For this reason, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends patients seek whitening treatments from professional dental practices, like Parramatta Green Dental.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Numerous over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available for at-home use. However, the ADA suggests they pose more of a risk to your oral health than professional whitening services despite containing a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
A recent investigation discovered that some patients misuse at-home whitening kits, increasing the likelihood of chemical burns, discomfort, and discolouration. Online retailers selling at-home teeth whitening kits may sell products with high concentrations of whitening agents, exceeding legal limits.
Fortunately, when performed by a professional, the ADA states that whitening treatments don’t pose significant health risks. At Parramatta Green Dental, we offer professional teeth whitening on-site and provide at-home teeth whitening treatment for those who prefer to brighten their smiles at home.
Professional teeth whitening treatments
Our dentists use state-of-the-art technology to deliver high-quality in-chair dental treatment. We use Philips Zoom whitening products to produce a dazzling smile, several shades whiter than before. A high-concentration whitening agent containing 6% hydrogen peroxide, brightens your smile and improves discolouration in just one visit.
Before beginning the teeth whitening process, we recommend patients undergo a dental cleaning. This removes plaque, tartar, and any debris to prepare your teeth for the whitening agent.
So, how does teeth whitening work? First, your dentist uses a rubber dam and gauze seals to protect your lips, gums, and cheeks from the chemical agent. Then, your dentist paints the Zoom whitening gel onto the surface of each tooth before applying a UV light to activate the whitening agent.
Depending on your smile goals, this process is repeated up to three times to achieve your desired shade of whiteness. When you’re happy with the brightness of your smile, your dentist applies post-treatment gel. This helps protect the enamel and minimise any sensitivity due to the treatment.
A typical Zoom treatment takes about an hour, and you can see up to eight shades of improvement in a single appointment.
After your teeth whitening appointment, you may want to continue treatment using our at-home Zoom whitening trays. These help you touch up the shade of your newly whitened teeth at home between professional treatments.
At-home teeth whitening trays
While in-chair Zoom whitening produces faster results, at-home whitening trays provide a safe and convenient method of smile maintenance. While our removable trays are available without in-chair treatment, the at-home whitening process must begin with a dental consultation.
During this consultation, your dentist takes moulds of your teeth to fabricate custom trays. We provide a whitening agent with an appropriate hydrogen peroxide concentration for your whitening goals (lower than the amount used during in-chair procedures).
Ask your dentist about any concerns relating to your at-home trays. We walk you through the application process step-by-step, ensuring you can safely navigate the whitening process at home.
Choose between day or night trays depending on when you’re most comfortable wearing them. Daytime whitening trays are worn for less time, a half-hour per day, while nighttime trays are worn while you sleep. Both options take around 10-14 days to see results.
How does teeth whitening work with at-home trays?
- Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly to remove plaque
- Squeeze a small drop (teardrop size) of the whitening agent into the individual impressions on your custom trays
- Carefully position the trays over your teeth, ensuring they fit snuggly
- Leave the trays in position for the amount of time prescribed by your dentist
- After removal, clean your trays carefully with cold water to remove any excess agent
- Brush your teeth to remove any remaining gel
Are Whitening Treatments Suitable for Everyone?
Teeth whitening treatments aren’t the right option for everyone. Before using whitening chemicals, oral health issues such as dental caries and gum disease must be addressed. Applying a whitening agent to oral tissue with active gum disease can cause severe irritation, redness, and swelling.
These treatments cannot whiten existing dental fillings, crowns, and veneers. If you plan to have restorative dental treatments, talk to your dentist about postponing teeth whitening until after they’re in place. Then, you can match the shade of your teeth to the veneer or crown.
Start Your Journey to a Whiter Smile Today
If you’re still wondering, ‘how does teeth whitening work?’, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced dentists. At Parramatta Green Dental, we strive to make dental care convenient for you, so you can give your smile the attention it deserves.
Call us today to schedule an appointment on (02) 9538 7875.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Your face and moves seem happier when I smile. Facial action influences the perception of emotional faces and biological motion stimuli
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-32759-001
Teeth Whitening Getting The Best Result For Your Smile
https://www.ada.org.au/getattachment/Your-Dental-Health/Resources-for-Professionals/Resources-for-Teens-12-17/Teeth-whitening-the-best-result-for-your-smile/Teeth-whitening,-getting-the-best-result-for-your-smile.pdf.aspx
Teeth whitening: Surging popularity brings issues to resolve
https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/Teeth-whitening-Surging-popularity-brings-issues-t
How to whiten your teeth in-office with Philips Zoom
https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-pe/teeth-whitening/zoom-in-office
Philips Zoom’s Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kit
https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-pe/teeth-whitening/zoom-at-home