Who doesn’t want to have a big, beaming smile? It’s a great way to greet the world and is usually met with an equally sunny response. It can also help lift your own mood, with research suggesting that even a forced smile can help reduce stress and boost happiness.
But it can be hard to keep your pearly whites, well… pearly white!
Many of our daily indulgences, like our morning coffee or evening glass of red, are known to stain our teeth. Even the simple act of getting older has been shown to cause discolouration and dull our dental shine.
The good news is there’s a not-so-secret trick to getting your smile sparkling again – cosmetic teeth whitening.
Over the last decade or so, teeth whitening services have become extremely popular. As a result, there is now a range of options for getting your teeth looking bright and beautiful again. From home remedies and over-the-counter DIY kits to professional cosmetic teeth whitening services, you’re really spoilt for choice.
Here we look at some of the most popular options for teeth whitening. We explore how (and if!) they work and whether they are actually safe. We also run through how to choose the service that best suits your situation and needs.
Why would someone whiten their teeth?
As dental professionals, we might be biased, but we believe a great smile can make a huge difference. We’ve seen first-hand how badly people can be affected by insecurities about their teeth. We’ve also witnessed the instant change in mood and demeanour people experience when they see their new and improved smile.
Teeth whitening services are one of the easiest ways to achieve such a transformation. While it may seem like a small detail to some, many people worry about the colour of their teeth. If you’re one of these people, cosmetic teeth whitening could offer many benefits.
Most significantly, it can enhance your overall appearance. As the name suggests, it will help remove stains and lighten the colour of your teeth, often by several shades. This, in turn, can help minimise the appearance of facial blemishes, making you look generally healthier.
In addition to the physical changes, dental bleaching can also have a major impact on your mental state. Chances are that you’ll be a lot more comfortable showing your teeth and will probably find yourself smiling more. You may even notice that your general move has improved and that you feel more confident within yourself.
Best of all, teeth whitening services in Perth are generally fairly affordable. When compared to other cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening can deliver great results for a fraction of the cost. That’s sure to put a smile on your face!
How can I whiten my teeth?
Due to the increased interest in teeth whitening services, there are now more options than ever before. Some of these are more effective than others – and some may not do anything at all. Some can also cause more harm than good, particularly if not done correctly.
When it comes to teeth whitening, you have three main options:
1. Professional teeth whitening services: This is done by a trained professional, like a dentist. Generally, it involves using carbamide peroxide to bleach your teeth and remove stains. Many dental professionals also provide at-home teeth whitening services, usually as ongoing maintenance after an in-office treatment.
2. Over-the-counter cosmetic teeth whitening products: These can be bought from most chemists and are widely available online. There are a wide variety of systems available which use everything from chemicals, to blue light to bleach your teeth.
3. Whitening toothpaste: Most supermarkets will stock some form of teeth whitening toothpaste. These are designed for everyday use and target the stains on the surface of your teeth.
Which teeth whitening services should I use?
The right teeth whitening method for you will depend on the type of discolouration you have , your current dental health and what you want to achieve.
Professional teeth whitening services are best for deeper stains and generally deliver the strongest results. They also tend to work the fastest, often taking only a couple of hours at a dental practice.
While this is the most expensive option, it can also be the most cost-effective, given the results it can achieve.
If you’re looking for a more affordable solution, cosmetic take home whitening kit with trays may be the option for you! These kits are available through your dentist, and are generally half the price of the treatment in clinic.
They tend to deliver similar results, but just over a longer period of time. This treatment generally also requires you to 30mins every night until you reach the desired result.
Finally, there are over-the-counter cosmetic teeth whitening products available . However These products are generally cheaper because they contain weaker active ingredients than a dentist would use, so always check your packaging.
Alternatively, if you’re just trying to avoid further discolouration, a whitening toothpaste may be sufficient. This is the cheapest cosmetic teeth whitening option available and can easily be worked into your daily routine. While whitening toothpastes may not make a major difference to the colour of your teeth, they could help prevent new stains.
Is cosmetic teeth whitening safe?
Generally speaking, most teeth whitening services are safe. That being said, there’s a chance you may experience some side effects. Exactly what these could be will depend on the teeth whitening method you choose.
For example, professional dental bleaching services are considered the safest option. However, you may still experience some tooth sensitivity (particularly to cold) or gum irritation after the procedure. This will usually only last a day or two and is generally fairly mild.
Over-the-counter cosmetic teeth whitening products tend to come with a little more risk. Depending on the exact product, if not used correctly, they can cause severe chemical burns to the gums. Some products have also been shown to cause teeth demineralisation and erosion, and damage to the pulp of the teeth.
Even whitening toothpaste, which is generally safe to use, carries some risk. Prolonged use of such products has been linked to increased sensitivity and potential tissue damage.
To minimise your risk of these side effects, it’s critical you always follow the directions for use. This is particularly important for over-the-counter teeth whitening products, which can cause significant pain and damage if not used correctly.
What should I consider before booking in for a dental whitening service?
It is important to note that if you have existing dental work on the front of your teeth, teeth whitening may not be the best option for you. Dental work such as crowns, veneers and fillings block the whitening agent and cause the surrounding teeth to whiten but the work to stay the same – leading to a patchy result. Your dental professional can help guide you in this circumstance.
Furthermore, if you haven’t had a dental clean recently, the build up on your teeth can block the whitening agent from working.
Book your teeth whitening service today
With all of this in mind, professional teeth whitening services are usually the best option. They deliver the strongest results, in the quickest time. Also, because they are professionally administered, there’s minimal risk of anything going wrong.
If you would like more information on professional teeth whitening services, contact Keys dental. We’re a leading provider of cosmetic teeth whitening in the Perth region and can help you achieve the whiter, brighter smile you’ve always wanted.
Using the Zoom teeth whitening system, we put the sparkle back in your smile in seven simple steps. Once we’ve worked out whether Zoom is right for you, we will perform our usual clean and prepare your teeth. We then apply our special whitening gel and let it do its thing for 15 minutes.
After a few rounds of this, your teeth will be up to eight shades lighter. The whole process only takes two hours, and you can kick back and watch your favourite Netflix shows while you wait.
We’ll even give you your own at-home care pack, so you can keep your smile beaming for as long as possible!
