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Discoloured teeth are an inevitable part of life; as you age, your teeth naturally become less white as the enamel wears away and the tooth’s dentin layer is exposed. If you frequently consume beverages rich in tannins, like coffee and red wine, you may also experience tooth stains. Luckily, teeth whitening options are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable. But is teeth whitening safe?
Teeth whitening treatments are safe and effective when performed by a trained dentist. Talk to your dentist in Bundoora about available teeth whitening options to brighten your smile.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe: Choose Products From Your Dentist
The teeth whitening process is extremely safe when you use products provided by your dentist and adhere to their instructions. Teeth whitening treatments that you purchase online sometimes have too high a concentration of hydrogen peroxide to be safe.
One investigation found 20 out of 36 teeth whitening kits sold online exceeded recommended levels of bleaching agents. The worst product had over 300 times the appropriate concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Using products with a bleaching agent that is overconcentrated poses a risk of chemical burns to the gums. It can also damage your teeth by eroding enamel protein.
What Teeth Whitening Treatments are Available?
At Radiant Smiles Dental Group in Bundoora, we offer various teeth whitening treatments to suit your budget and lifestyle.
In-chair Philips Zoom teeth whitening
Opt for our in-chair Philips Zoom whitening procedure for quick and effective professional teeth whitening. You get results within an hour, allowing you to leave your whitening appointment with teeth that are up to eight shades whiter.
During the appointment, your dentist paints the whitening gel onto the teeth then uses a special light to activate the gel and accelerate bleaching. The bleach then penetrates the porous tooth enamel to remove staining and improve discolouration. This can be repeated up to three times to help you achieve your desired shade.
Take-home custom teeth whitening trays
Is teeth whitening safe at home? It is when monitored by a dental professional. If you prefer to use an at-home whitening treatment, ask your dentist about their available products rather than choosing over-the-counter options.
At our Bundoora dentist, we offer custom whitening trays that you can wear like a mouthguard. We also provide Zoom whitening gel and instructions for placing the gel in the tray and how many hours to wear your trays daily.
Depending on your preference, we can provide varying concentrations of the hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent, allowing you to wear the trays for a few hours during the day (higher concentration) or overnight (lower concentration).
You can expect to see a noticeably whiter smile in just 14 days. Custom take-home teeth whitening trays are also an excellent option for touching up your smile between in-chair appointments.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe: What are the Possible Side Effects of Tooth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is extremely safe, so there are minimal side effects following treatment. Occasionally, patients may experience increased tooth sensitivity, with one study finding 54% of participants had mild sensitivity for the first week or two after at-home teeth whitening treatments. If you have pre-existing gingival recession, you have a higher risk of experiencing tooth sensitivity.
A Cochrane Library study found that mild soft tissue irritation was a second potential side effect of tooth whitening that was more likely to occur when the whitening agent’s concentration was higher. However, the results were extremely mild, having no adverse effect on a patient’s daily life.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe: How Frequently Can You Whiten Your Teeth?
Once you begin using teeth whitening treatments, it’s essential to understand how frequently you can reapply the treatment. Whitening your teeth too often may result in damage to your enamel. Always check with your dentist before a second or third whitening treatment.
Typically, you should have professional in-chair treatment no more than once per year because the effects are cumulative. If you are applying whitening trays at home, the hydrogen peroxide is less concentrated, so you can use these products every six to twelve months. Consult your dentist for information regarding the specific teeth whitening treatments you’re applying.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe: Who Should Not Use Teeth Whitening Treatments?
Teeth whitening kits are excellent options for most adults looking to brighten their smiles. However, if you have dental crowns or veneers, teeth whitening might not be a viable option for brightening your smile.
Whitening products don’t brighten these cosmetic and restorative dental solutions. If your veneers or crowns become discoloured or stained, your dentist may be able to improve their colour with a professional cleaning.
Teeth whitening treatments are unsuitable for children. Their teeth are underdeveloped, making it easier for bleaching agents to cause tooth sensitivity and enamel erosion.
Brighten Your Smile in Bundoora
Teeth whitening treatment is quick and effective when you choose Philips Zoom in-chair whitening treatment or take-home custom trays. Schedule an appointment at Radiant Smiles Dental Group today to find out which teeth whitening option is best for your budget and needs.
Call us on (03) 9000 0537 or book your appointment online to start the process of whitening your smile.
References
‘Dangerous’ home teeth-whitening kits sold online
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-57226565
Teeth-whitening agents may harm enamel protein in high concentrations: study
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/teeth-whitening-agents-may-harm-enamel-protein-in-high-concentrations-study-1.5567383
Incidence of tooth sensitivity after home whitening treatment
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12198987/
Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006202.pub2/full
How Often Should I Whiten My Teeth?
https://drdhulab.com/how-often-should-i-whiten-my-teeth/
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