A: It may not be the right treatment for you – it’s not suitable for everyone. If you have an oral health issue like gum disease or tooth decay, you’ll need to have these treated before you consider a whitening procedure. And if you are under 16 or have sensitive teeth or gums, or you’re pregnant – teeth whitening is not an option.
A: After a complimentary consultation with your Dentist Mandy specialist, we’ll ask you to take a seat in a relaxing chair. A gum protector will then be applied to protect your gums from the Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) gel. And once this gel is set by a light, the HP (6%) will be applied to your teeth. A LED blue light activates the HP which is set for 3 x 25 minute intervals to allow for the extra HP to be added to your teeth during the whitening session.
A: Some of our patients experience what’s commonly referred to as a ‘zinger’ after they’ve had an in-chair or at-home teeth whitening treatment. This is basically a sudden and intense pain in the teeth. At Dentist Mandy we believe that everyone should enjoy having a beautiful bright smile that’s why we do all that we can to help you feel as comfortable as possible both during and after treatment.
A: Depending on the system you use, generally the answer is, yes. Results generally last for about six months if you take good care of your teeth; brush and floss regularly and try to avoid drinking too much tea, coffee or red wine which can stain teeth. We also recommend that you book in for ‘touch-up treatments’ twice a year to help keep your smile looking as bright as possible between visits.
A: Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect that can occur after a teeth whitening procedure. This is generally caused by the bleaching agents contained in the systems such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Patients feel the sensitivity when these ‘agents’ reach the tooth nerve. It’s also important to remember that your teeth sensitivity will increase based on the number of whitening treatments you have, the strength of the formula and your teeth’s unique structure.
A: Crowns and veneers are specially designed to maintain their appearance which makes them resistant to stains as well as whitening. However, if you’d like a brighter smile, you’re welcome to schedule an appointment with us to replace your current crown or veneers with a lighter-coloured version.
A: If you have braces, we recommend that you wait until your orthodontic treatment is complete before you schedule a tooth whitening procedure. However, if you’d rather not wait, you can still have your teeth whitened with your braces on. You may find it difficult to see any results and the outcome won’t be as successful. In fact, once your braces are removed, you may find that the areas under the braces appear darker or even more yellow than the rest of your teeth. The best thing to do is book in for a ‘touch-up treatment’ to even out the whiteness.
A: In the first couple days after a treatment, your teeth are more likely to stain because your enamel is more porous from the bleaching process. So it’s a good idea to stay away from ‘darker’ foods and drinks like coffee, tea, wine, berries, and even tomato sauce. After a few days, you can start enjoying your normal diet again. Just remember to limit the amount of ‘teeth-staining’ food you consume to keep your teeth whiter, for longer.
A: Teeth can discolour on the surface because of stains brought on by smoking, drinking tea, coffee and wine as well as eating foods like berries and tomato sauce. However, there’s also ‘intrinsic staining’ which occurs within the tooth making them look grey. This is generally the result of some medication, tooth decay, tooth trauma, too much fluoride and even genetics. Ageing is another cause of tooth disclouration. As we age and brush more of our tooth enamel away, the outside of the tooth causes the dentin inside of the tooth to shine through which gives our teeth that ‘yellow look’. Cosmetic whitening is a good way to reverse exterior discolouration.
Have more teeth whitening questions for us? Or willing to find out what the best solution is for your bright smile? Contact Dentist Mandy Macquarie Street clinic on 93 000 777 today!