Teeth whitening treatments are fast becoming one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry, as they are the fastest and most effective way to noticeably enhance your smile.

Just like we have different hair, skin and eye colour we have different teeth colour. Some teeth are more naturally yellow than white and some stain yellow due to factors such as ageing or from the foods we eat. Teeth whitening treatment can lighten your teeth up to ten shades within one treatment and is virtually painless. Most patients will notice results immediately and usually, teeth whitening treatments are viewed as a permanent solution, although with modern day health habits (consuming dark foods and drinks) your teeth will become re-stained.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that helps lighten teeth by breaking down and removing stains and discolouration from the surface of the tooth. Because whitening can only lighten your natural teeth, current restorations such as veneers or crowns may need to be replaced to match your new smile.

How does teeth whitening work?

In chair dentist-supervised tooth whitening involves the controlled use of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, which is tailored to each individual patient. The bleach is only placed on the tooth enamel, which is dead (like nails or hair), so your gums are protected.

Why do my teeth stain?

There are two types of tooth staining or discolouration: extrinsic (external), which affects teeth from the outside and intrinsic (internal) when stains affect the structure of the tooth itself. Extrinsic staining occurs when the microscopic pits and defects in the outer surface of the tooth’s enamel are susceptible to the accumulation of stain-producing substances. Intrinsic dental stains may be due to dental filling materials or the condition of the tooth itself. If the tooth is replaced by filling material, or the tooth has received trauma, it may turn a different colour than the surrounding teeth. With the number of processed foods and drinks in our diets that contain colours and sugars, our diet plays a huge role in the colour of our teeth. Some reasons for tooth discolouration and staining include:
  • The natural ageing process
  • Tobacco
  • Plaque and tartar build-up
  • Consuming pigmented foods like cherries and blueberries
  • Drinking tea, coffee and red wine
  • Trauma to the teeth

How white is too white?

Due to Photoshop editing and some extreme measures celebrities undertake to maintain a “picture-perfect” look, there is a common misconception that our teeth should be a startling shade of “pure white”. A good rule of thumb for teeth whitening is to aim for a shade close to the whites of your eyes as this will create an aesthetically pleasing overall look.

Teeth whitening at G Dental Greensborough

Don’t wait weeks for store-bought whitening treatments to work; G Dental can give you the white smile you’ve always dreamed of with our in-chair teeth whitening. Before commencing any treatment, our friendly team will assess your smile and listen to what results you are aiming to achieve by the end of your treatment and discuss how best to obtain these results. If you are considering teeth whitening and wondering if it is suitable for you, contact G Dental to arrange an appointment today.