Tooth discolouration is incredibly common. Luckily, there are several different solutions for bringing the sparkle back.
Our modern lifestyle, full of exotic foods, sugary sodas, and a near-constant supply of tea and coffee, is terrible for maintaining a sparkling brightness on your teeth. While discolouration and staining can be linked to certain foods, drinks, or medications, one of the main contributors to tooth discolouration is a lack of proper dental hygiene.
This can lead to food particles and bacteria sticking to your teeth, which creates stains. Indeed, bacteria and leftover food residues create a film on the enamel coating your teeth. Because the surface of the tooth is porous, these staining agents can penetrate deep into the enamel, which is what causes discolouration.
What Can I Do About Stained Teeth?
As with preventing many dental issues, the ideal strategy is to maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine to avoid discolouration entirely. However, given that several factors contribute to tooth staining, even the best dental care routine may not be enough to prevent discolouration. For a long-lasting solution for brighter, whiter teeth, we recommend undergoing teeth whitening treatment at G Dental.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Professional teeth whitening involves a series of steps that will improve the colour of your teeth. The process involves placing a protective shield over your gums while applying a bleaching agent that reaches deep into the layers of tooth enamel and breaks up the stains. Indeed, these bleaching chemicals trigger a chemical reaction called oxidation, which breaks up staining compounds deep within the enamel.
Teeth Whitening In-Office at G Dental
While take-home teeth whitening kits are fast becoming popular, they won’t give you the same results as a professional, in-office treatment at G Dental. In-office whitening involves the use of a special gel that is applied to your teeth through a custom-fitted tray. This gel contains a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than over-the-counter whitening kits. This gel also contains desensitisers, which minimise the risk of damaging your teeth and gums.
In-office whitening is a quick, painless procedure that can be completed in an hour or less. During the procedure, you can relax while we apply the teeth-whitening solution. If you prefer, you can read a book, listen to music, watch a movie on your iPad, or even check emails on your mobile phone – it’s multi-tasking your way to a brighter smile! This method of teeth whitening is best for people who want their teeth to look their best in a hurry.
Professional whitening systems are a great option to keep your smile bright. The whitening gel is effective for several years, making it essentially a permanent treatment. It is important to remember, however, that the factors that lead to tooth staining are still present after a whitening treatment, so many people choose to have top-up whitening treatments when they notice new staining occurring.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Better Than A Home Kit?
The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that DIY tooth whitening kits simply lack the power of professional whitening methods. While in-office whitening can lighten your teeth by up to ten shades, home kits generally offer just one to two shades of lightening.
Additionally, at-home teeth whitening is a lengthy process, involving daily treatments for weeks, or even months. While at-home kits will result in whiter teeth, the results from professional whitening at G Dental will be far superior.
How Can We Help?
Before we begin the teeth whitening process, we’ll give you a thorough examination to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Any damage to your teeth, such as hidden cavities or decay, should be dealt with before you start the whitening process. It is important to note that if you have sensitive teeth, you may experience slight discomfort during the procedure.
This, however, will be mild and shouldn’t put you off undergoing treatment! We’ll discuss your current tooth colouring and decide on a shade that will look natural. As a rule of thumb, we recommend selecting a shade that matches the white of your eyes for an aesthetically pleasing result.
To learn more about teeth whitening at G Dental, please have a look here.
To book an appointment at any one of our practices across Melbourne, please call 03 9435 6063 or 03 9432 0888, or drop us a line here.