Teeth Whitening

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my teeth yellow?

One of the most common causes for yellowing teeth is aging. Under tooth enamel is an inner layer called dentin that’s yellow in colour. As you age, tooth enamel thins, and the yellow dentin underneath is exposed. Stains fall under two categories:

Surface stains such as:

• Plaque and calculus
• Tar from tobacco
• Tannins from red wine, tea and coffee
• Too much mouthwash (more than the recommended amount)

Internal Stains are pigments within the internal tooth structure and occur during or after teeth develop. Internal stains can occur due to:

• Illness and fever
• Excessive antibiotic use (Tetracycline)
• Medical conditions
• Excessively high fluoride levels

Is home whitening as effective as professional in-chair whitening?

You can achieve similar results to in-chair whitening with a home whitening kit that’s provided under the supervision of your dentist. Home whitening kits can whiten teeth within one to two weeks, whereas, results from in-chair whitening are almost immediate. It’s often best to use both in-chair and home whitening for lasting results.

Is home whitening safe?

In Australia, all home whitening products contain less than 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide and are considered safe for use at home. A home teeth whitening kit that is provided by a registered dentist is particularly safe for use. This is because it involves a face-to-face check-up to identify dental problems prior to treatment and custom-made trays to fit your mouth, reducing the risk of irritation.

What are the risks associated with teeth whitening?

It’s common to experience tooth sensitivity within the days following a whitening treatment, however the sensation should dissipate after a week.

If whitening gel comes into contact with gums and soft tissues it can burn or cause irritation. If you have worn-down or cracked teeth, you may also experience some sensitivity.

Seeing a dentist for whitening treatment is the safest option because they can create custom whitening trays to minimise these risks.

How can I maintain whiter teeth?

If you’ve recently completed in-chair or professional home whitening, you’ll want to keep your white smile for as long as possible. You can maintain a whiter smile by:

• Using a touch-up whitening pen or top-up syringes
• Using a whitening toothpaste
• Avoiding drinks that stain, like red wine, coffee, black tea and soft drinks
• Brushing your teeth twice daily
• Flossing between your teeth once a day
• Drinking plenty of water to wash away bacteria