Teeth Whitening: Procedure & Costs

In-chair cosmetic teeth whitening treatments typically range between 1- 3 hours. The time can vary depending on the product your dentist uses, including whether your treatment involves a laser or ultraviolet light, and your individual circumstances.

The discomfort experienced varies from person to person and depends on the method used. In most cases, adults experience very minor discomfort that lasts 1-3 days after the treatment. This can be easily treated with over-the-counter painkillers.

Your Smile dentist may also instruct you to apply a gel fluoride in your teeth-whitening tray to help decrease sensitivity.

Whitening your teeth with a cosmetic dentist is a completely safe procedure. Your Smile dentist will have you wear protective goggles and use gels and rubber shields to protect your gums from exposure to the active bleaching ingredients during in-chair procedures. Similarly, in the very unlikely case of an emergency or allergic reaction, your Smile dentist is a trained clinician and is available to provide support quickly and calmly.

For take-home treatments, your Smile dentist will create custom-fitted trays for you to take home. These trays are specially created to minimise contact between the whitening product and your gums, which may cause irritation.

Teeth whitening is not permanent. It can generally last from a few months up to three years, however, this depends on your individual circumstances. The effect of the treatment will be impacted if you frequently smoke or drink dark liquids such as red wine, tea, or coffee.

According to the Australian Dental Association, there is a higher risk of experiencing negative side effects from teeth whitening when it isn't performed by a registered professional. Your Smile dentist will use additional protective measures, such as gel and rubber shields, to protect your gums from the bleaching product.

The strength of the bleaching agent is also not the same for teeth whitening treatment provided by a dentist and products available in-store. Products bought in-store or over the counter often contain a weaker bleaching agent than the professional tooth whitening products your dentist applies.

Your Smile dentist also takes an impression of your teeth to ensure your tray is a perfect and customised fit. The customised fit allows for maximum contact between your teeth and the whitening product. Customised trays also protect your gums by minimising contact between them and the bleaching agent. Store bought products, however, are generally one-size fits all and do not guarantee a perfect fit. If your trays are ill-fitting, you may experience irritation from any whitening product seeping onto your gums.

Similarly, teeth whitening treatments are not a one-size fits all procedure. By performing an oral exam and considering your medical history, your Smile dentist ensures that you receive the appropriate whitening treatment tailored to your personal requirements.

The side effects of teeth whitening include tooth sensitivity and pain in the gums and tongue. There is also a possibility of over-whitening, resulting in a translucency that may appear grey from the shadows of the mouth. This is very rare and only occurs if the whitening process is over-extended. With take-home whitening, there is a small risk of ingesting the administered gel, which could lead to nausea, burning and vomiting. The chances of this occurring are slim, as your teeth-whitening tray should fit almost perfectly around your teeth. The peroxide in teeth-whitening products can burn your gums if they are not properly protected, which is another reason why it is recommended to leave your mouth in the hands of professional dentists.

There are potential risks associated with teeth whitening treatment, so it is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women. It is similarly not recommended if you are allergic to peroxide. If you have receding gums you may be more likely to experience tooth sensitivity. However, tooth sensitivity typically disappears within a few days. Cavities need to be treated prior to teeth whitening treatment and if you have defective restorations or worn enamel, it is important to consult with your Smile dentist on the best treatment available for your situation.

Tooth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity, especially if you experience tooth decay or receding gums. This sensitivity is treatable with over-the-counter painkillers, and it is reversible over time.

You can reduce teeth sensitivity following teeth whitening treatment by using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. It is also recommended to avoid very hot or cold foods for the first few days after you have received treatment.

Often patients will ask "does teeth whitening damage my teeth?" and "will bleaching my teeth ruin the enamel?" The answer is no, teeth whitening products administered by a registered dentist will not harm your tooth enamel. Enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the human body. While whitening treatment can cause temporary tooth sensitivity, it will not permanently damage your tooth enamel.

While teeth whitening treatments can cause temporary gum irritation, this treatment does not cause permanent damage. Having your dentist custom fit your mouthpiece tray can help reduce the risk of gum irritation or sensitivity.

After teeth whitening, it is advised that you avoid substances that stain, such as tobacco and red wine, for about a week. This is because the pores in your teeth are open and your teeth are more receptive to staining factors after your teeth-whitening treatment. Your teeth may also feel slightly sensitive to very hot or cold foods and beverages.

Brushing and flossing regularly will help to maintain whiteness, and you can generally expect the results to last about 1-3 years – or even longer if you are a non-smoker and avoid foods that are known to stain teeth. Because teeth whitening is not permanent, you will need to maintain your bright smile with continued treatments. For regular patients, this upkeep can be costly, but with Smile member savings, Smile members can maintain their beautiful smile with affordable re-treatments.

Smoking will rapidly reverse the results of your teeth-whitening treatment. Tobacco causes deep staining within the tooth enamel and should be avoided completely for at least a week after your treatment. Smokers will require more regular re-treatments than non-smokers to maintain their colour.

It is recommended that you avoid acidic and tannin-rich food and beverages after you have teeth whitening treatment. It is important to avoid drinking coffee and black tea, especially immediately after you receive your treatment. To help maintain the results of your teeth whitening treatment, you can drink with a straw to limit potential staining.

For the first few days following your teeth whitening treatment, it is important to avoid wine and other-dark coloured foods and drinks. The whitening results can be reversed if you do not avoid these acidic and tannin-rich foods and beverages. As teeth whitening temporarily opens the pores of your teeth, your teeth are most likely to stain as soon as you have teeth whitening treatment. At the very least, avoid red wine and other dark coloured beverages for 48 hours after you have received treatment. While red wine and carbonated drinks can stain your teeth, white wine will not affect your bright smile.

To avoid reversing your teeth whitening treatment, it is important to avoid dark coloured foods and beverages. It's recommended to eat plain coloured food for the first 48 hours. This could include:

• Plain chicken
• Fish
• Rice
• Pasta
• Cauliflower
• Potatoes
• Bread
• Bananas
• White low-fat yoghurt

It is recommended that you avoid dark staining foods and beverages for the first 24 - 48 hours after you receive in-practice teeth whitening treatment. Dark staining drinks may include tea, coffee, red wine, and fruit juice.

As your teeth are particularly vulnerable to staining directly after whitening treatment, it's important to avoid dark staining foods such as:

• Bolognese
• Soy sauce
• Chocolate
• Tomato sauce
• Beets
• Spinach
• All fruit but bananas

You can extend the results of your teeth-whitening treatment by avoiding staining foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, soft drink and tobacco.

If you can't go without your morning coffee or afternoon wine, try drinking through a straw to avoid contact with your teeth as much as possible. It is also important to keep the mouth clean by brushing and flossing regularly.

Dull, yellow and even dark grey stained teeth can be the result of many everyday factors, including:

• Smoking
• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Soft drink
• Certain antibiotics

If you have spent years smoking or are an avid coffee drinker, chances are your smile is not as white as it used to be.

In most cases, anyone 10 years or older can whiten their teeth, as this is generally when all of the front permanent teeth have grown in. Baby teeth usually remain bright white unless they suffer a colour-changing trauma, in which case whitening may be considered to avoid embarrassment for the child.

This depends on your unique circumstances. Whiteners may not correct all kinds of discolouration. For example, yellow teeth will probably whiten well, brownish-coloured teeth may not whiten as well, and greyish-hued teeth may not whiten well at all. In most cases, sparkling white teeth that are several shades brighter than the original shade can be achieved with in-practice treatments.

There are several options available for brightening your teeth and improving your smile. Some methods include porcelain veneers, composite bonding and dental implants. If your stains are deep within the enamel, these options may be more effective for you than whitening.