Everybody wants to have that pearly white smile. One of the most common questions patients ask when they visit us is how to make their teeth whiter. Brighter and whiter teeth improve a smile and make it appealing, especially for people in the modelling industry who do not have to resort to image editing tools when posting their pictures on social media. It also boosts your confidence and makes it easier to smile than keeping your lips closed.
However, this is easier said than done. Everyday foods and drinks as well as oral habits such as smoking and insufficient dental hygiene, can play a role in damaging your tooth enamel and taking away the natural radiance of your smile. Once discolouration sets in, keeping teeth looking bright make it a difficult task to achieve. You might not be entirely aware of this, but every day you may be wearing off the sparkle of your own smile. In such cases, Teeth Whitening at the dentist is becoming a popular, effective, affordable and a perfectly safe solution.
Your trusted Brisbane dentist at Malouf Dental can provide you with an effective Teeth Whitening solution so that you can easily restore the beauty and brightness of your smile. We provide In-Clinic Whitening Treatment as well as At Home Whitening Kits through the ZOOM! Teeth Whitening System. Compared to whitening products that can be purchased off the retail store or at your local chemist, the ZOOM! Teeth Whitening System by Malouf Dental have a higher strength and are designed to maximise contact with your teeth to achieve a better result.
Call or email us so we can advise which treatment fits your exact needs. Your Brisbane dentist at Malouf Dental will see to it that you are provided with the best information to achieve a custom Teeth Whitening solution for you.
Causes of discolouration
Teeth discolouration occurs when the enamel, which is the outer most sparkling white layer of your teeth, gets worn down and transparent, showing the dentine, which is the yellow colour of the inner tooth structure.
There are two categories of teeth discolouration:
- Extrinsic Discolouration – This is an external staining and the most common. Some of the problems can be nicotine staining through smoking, consuming beverages such as tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, red wine and also poor oral hygiene
- Intrinsic Discolouration – This is internal staining resulting from trauma (such as a fall), excessive fluoride exposure while teeth are developing, or medication (The most common is Tetracyclines taken by a pregnant woman that can stain an unborn child’s teeth or by a child until 8 years of age)
Food and Drink
Food and Drink are a major cause of teeth staining, especially highly coloured foods and drinks such as black and green tea, coffee, coloured beverages and red wine.
How can you prevent teeth staining?
- Rinse your mouth with water after every meal or drink
- Floss your teeth daily and brush your teeth twice a day to reduce bacteria growth
- Use toothpaste containing small abrasive agents, talk to us for recommendations
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate your body’s natural saliva flow which will wash away some of the stainings
- Have your teeth cleaned regularly by a dental professional. We recommend a clean and check-up every six months, call us to book an appointment here
Age
Age does not contribute directly to teeth staining. However, as we age, our enamel which is the outer hard layer thins and gets transparent which results in the inner structure to show through. This inner structure is yellowish which is why your teeth look discoloured. Sometimes, gum recession may occur in patients which exposes part of the tooth root which is more discoloured than tooth enamel.
How can we manage age-related discolouration?
- Use a soft or extra-soft toothbrush and brush in a gentle circular motion. Be careful not to brush hard or scrub the tooth surface because this can hasten thinning of tooth enamel
Trauma
Trauma-related issues are beyond our control such as falls, medication (Tetracycline use) or excessive fluoride exposure while teeth are developing. Teeth Whitening methods help intrinsic discolouration causes to a certain degree but in cases of trauma, additional dental treatment is most likely
Teeth Whitening Options
So, how can you get whiter and brighter teeth? At Malouf Dental we offer you two choices to choose from. We provide In-Clinic Whitening Treatment as well as At Home Whitening Kits through the ZOOM! Teeth Whitening System. However, good oral hygiene and six-monthly dental check-ups and cleans are essential in maintaining whiter teeth.
In-Clinic Whitening Treatment
This is a safe and efficient procedure done at our clinic. With the in-office treatment, you can enjoy whiter teeth in just one visit. You can even do this during your lunch break! In-chair whitening involves the use of a high strength peroxide, activated by shining a special light, and is completed within two hours. It is ideal for time-poor patients or patients with a forthcoming event who require an instant result.
At Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Yes, you can get your teeth whitened right at the comfort of your own home! The kit includes whitening gels and custom trays made just for you. You need to visit us so we can create upper and lower moulds of your teeth to make custom-fitted whitening trays. You then need to wear your trays allowing the gel to work on your teeth on a daily or nightly routine. You can visibly see the results and in a week or two, you will have your brightest smile ever! Your Brisbane dentist at Malouf Dental will see to it that you are provided with detailed instructions about using the product.
With at home whitening kits, you have better control of how much you want your teeth to be whitened initially before moving onto maintaining the whiteness. Even during the maintenance stage, you can touch up the whiteness of your teeth. It also allows patients who suffer sensitivity to tailor their whitening procedure around their comfort.
After any Teeth Whitening process, it is very important to follow recommendations to maintain and to avoid discolouration relapse. If you are a smoker, you should avoid smoking for at least 24 hours. You should also avoid coloured foods and drinks for at least 24 hours post-whitening.
Are there any risks with Teeth Whitening?
As with any procedure, Teeth Whitening can cause a temporary effect around sensitivity, pressure and touch. Patients with gum recession or significant cracks in their teeth have a higher chance of sensitivity risk. However, post-whitening sensitivity lasts no longer than 24 to 48 hours. There is also a likelihood that gum irritation can occur as a result of contact between your gum and the whitening agent. It is always a good practice to contact us if you feel you have ongoing issues or not comfortable after any procedure.
Please call our friendly team on 3177 4830 for more information on Teeth Whitening or click here to book your appointment.
Source: Compiled from the Australian Dental Association and other websites.
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