There are different ways to whiten your teeth and generally it means introducing your teeth to hydrogen peroxide.

Seeking options and treatment within a dental setting is the safest way to whiten your teeth.

How can I make my teeth white?

Hydrogen peroxide is available in safe levels within some whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses. Higher levels of hydrogen peroxide can be administered in a dental setting by a dental professional or a take home kit including custom made teeth moulds made by your dentist with specific instructions of use.

How in chair teeth whitening works

To begin your teeth whitening treatment, a liquid barrier is applied to your gums and a cheek retractor is used. This prevents the bleach solution from moving away from your teeth and onto sensitive areas. Next, the whitening gel is applied onto the tooth surface. A special light is used to heat the solution which activates it to penetrate deeper into the enamel. In general, this process can take between 60 to 90 minutes.

What is the best teeth whitening?

High levels of hydrogen peroxide (take home or in chair whitening) are more efficient in whitening teeth. Depending on your level of tooth sensitivity and compliance your dentist may recommend one over the other or both. For extrinsic staining from foods such as coffee, wine and tea, whitening toothpastes are a good start.

Which teeth whitening procedure is the best?

Seeking options and treatment within a dental setting from a dental professional is the safest way to proceed with teeth whitening.

What is the best teeth whitening toothpaste?

Most whitening toothpastes work by removing extrinsic stains through low levels of hydrogen peroxide and abrasive particles. Therefore, if your teeth are not already stained it may not be likely for a whitening toothpaste to work.

In Office or At Home Options

The In Office whitening procedure that we do at the practice generally takes about an hour to 90 minutes and the results are immediate.

The At Home option involves having custom made whitening trays made specifically for the patient. Here at Waverley Park Dental we dispense 6% hydrogen peroxide (the bleaching agent) gels, which can be used with the whitening trays. These trays are generally used for 2 weeks in order to obtain the desired results.

When does teeth whitening work?

Effective teeth whitening occurs with thicker and highly porous enamel. People with yellowish teeth typically have better results than those with brownish or greyish hues. Also, whiteners have no effect on tooth coloured composite fillings or teeth that are bonded or veneered.

Other FAQs about Teeth Whitening

When can I eat after teeth whitening?
You can eat right after teeth whitening but it is highly advised you stay away from food/drinks that are likely to cause high levels of extrinsic staining (e.g coffee, tea, red wine). Also it is best to avoid extremely cold and hot foods to avoid teeth sensitivity.
Should I use charcoal teeth whitening?
A charcoal toothpaste works similar to a regular whitening toothpaste. Abrasive particles within the toothpaste help remove extrinsic staining. Using a charcoal toothpaste without extrinsic tooth staining is not recommended
How do I keep my teeth white with braces?
Good oral hygiene is crucial while you are wearing orthodontic appliances. Metal brackets, wires, bands have potential to harbour bateria. As a result, the risk of tooth staining and dental caries increases. Maintaining white teeth involves improving oral hygiene, regular brushing, flossing and frequent rinsing with a recommended mouthwash. Any in-chair whitening take home bleaching or whitening toothpastes should be considered once braces are removed to allow for consistency.
Is teeth whitening painful?
In some instances, the peroxide may penetrate deep enough to cause pain, known as a “zing”. The pain is generally sharp, spontaneous and temporary. It is important for a dental professional to assess your dentition prior to commencing any whitening treatment, dental diseases and conditions require management before considering teeth bleaching.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Hydrogen peroxide is constantly produced within our bodies during oxygen metabolism. Our bodies manufacture approximately 100 times more hydrogen peroxide everyday than what is given in professional take home whitening kits (approximately 6.5mg). As a result, our bodies are well adapted to managing hydrogen peroxide breakdown. This is precisely why teeth whitening does not cause permanent tooth damage and nor is it permanent.
Further reading and references
Kurthy, R. (2014). Solving teeth whitening sensitivity. Retrieved online September, 18.