We have had a number of people ask us about whitening their teeth and the options for a brighter smile. Whitening is a possibility and depending on your tooth enamel, numbers of fillings present and your gum health it is an option for most people.

Teeth whitening is an easy way to brighten and freshen your smile. There are a number of products on the market for whitening teeth.

Whitening toothpastes and whitening strips will remove and help prevent the buildup of external stain on the enamel. For example, they will reduce the coffee and tea marks on your teeth. They don’t have the strength to change the actual colour of the enamel. Some of them can be a bit abrasive so stick with the renown brands or ask your dentist or hygienist when you see them next.

Whitening gels from your dentist will change the colour of the enamel. We prefer the “Zoom” whitening product for ease of use, gentleness to patients and successful whitening outcomes.

• We take impressions of your teeth, our laboratory makes trays which fit exactly to your teeth, and then you simply add the whitening gel.
• The whitening gel stays on your teeth for 45 minutes per day or overnight for approximately 7 – 14 days depending on the depth of colour change and is applied in the comfort of your home.
• Most of our patients prefer not to bleach their teeth “too white” and this is another advantage of the take home whitening, as you can choose when to stop.

In-Office whitening from your dentist or hygienist is another option. We find this option is less gentle on the teeth and your teeth can be very sensitive for quite some time. It is also a long appointment with your mouth open.

Tooth sensitivity is often a side effect of whitening your teeth, especially if you have exposed root surfaces. We can mostly manage this with desensitizing agents, such as Tooth Mousse and care during eating and drinking.

Try not to purchase whitening toothpastes or gels over the internet. Often, they haven’t been approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, which signs off on the safety and effectiveness of any product.

Dental benefits – Please remember, as we head towards the end of the year and, dare we say Christmas, we do book up very quickly. For bookings in the next few months, start scheduling now. Don’t forget your dental benefits limits for this year finish on 31st December for most funds. Make the most of those benefits.

Clinic news – Welcome to Tasman, and Soheila, who have joined us on the hygiene team! Our lovely Tina is pregnant, which is very exciting. She will be going on maternity leave by the end of the year. We wish her and her partner well!  We are currently looking for the ideal hygienist to cover Tina’s patients.

See you in the clinic! The Adelaide City Dental Care Team.

PS: check out our socials (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) for top tips for teeth, mouth and gums and dental family snaps! Maybe even the latest video on YouTube.

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