If you long for a brighter smile but don’t know where to start, take a look at our guide to teeth whitening.
We answer all your questions about the best teeth whitening so you can take the first steps to that dazzling smile you’ve always wanted!
Who’s a good candidate for teeth whitening?
Just about anyone with healthy teeth and gums can benefit from professional teeth whitening. You’re an ideal candidate if:
- Tea, coffee, red wine and other foods and drinks or smoking have stained your teeth
- Your teeth have lost their natural lustre over the years
- You want to enhance your looks and gain self-confidence in a safe and effective way
Note that you should avoid teeth whitening if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. And if you have existing fillings, bridges, crowns or exposed roots, you will need to discuss your needs with your dentist.
What are the options for teeth whitening?
There are two ways to get professional teeth whitening: in-chair whitening and whitening at home.
In-chair whitening
For in-chair whitening, your dentist will take a look at your teeth and assess their current shade. From there, they will discuss what kind of result you can expect from the procedure.
To whiten your teeth, your dentist will protect your gums with a special coating and then apply the whitening gel. Next, blue light is used to activate the gel. You may only need one treatment to achieve your desired shade or a series of treatments to get your teeth looking just right. Each case is individual, so your dentist will discuss this with you at consultation.
Whitening at home
You can also opt to whiten your teeth yourself at home with a customised kit. Your dentist will examine your teeth and make moulds. From these, trays are created that are the perfect fit for your teeth.
Your dentist will provide you with dental-strength whitening gel to fill the tray, which you will need to wear for a specific period every day until you reach the target shade. This could take between three days and two weeks.
Some people prefer whitening their teeth this way as they can top up the gels and regularly maintain their teeth whiteness.
Top tip: for the best results have a professional dental clean before using your whitening kit to remove surface stains and tartar. This will ensure that the whitening gel does its best job on your teeth.
Will it hurt?
Whether you choose in-chair or at-home whitening, you shouldn’t experience any pain.
But it’s important to know that your teeth may feel more sensitive than usual after treatment. This should clear up on its own but do get in touch with your dentist if you have any concerns.
Does it work with other cosmetic treatments?
Yes, you can certainly use teeth whitening in combination with other cosmetic dentistry treatments.
For example, if you’ve just completed a teeth straightening programme with braces, whitening is the natural last step to achieving a dazzling smile.
Get teeth whitening in Auckland
Here at Opal Dental, we’re your local dentistry service to keep your teeth healthy… and pearly white too! So as well as offering regular dental treatments, our caring professionals can also help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile.
Make an appointment to come and talk through the options. We love doing the best for our patients — and that includes restoring their smiles and self-confidence!
