Teeth Whitening Options at Your Indooroopilly Dentist– Frequently asked Questions
How does teeth-whitening work?
Teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These teeth whitening products break or dissolve the stains into smaller pieces which makes the colour of your teeth less concentrated, and your teeth look whiter.
Does teeth-whitening work on all teeth?
No, teeth whitening does not work on all teeth. It is important to talk to your dentist before starting any teeth whitening treatment or product. Teeth whitening will not work on Dental veneers, Crowns, or fillings. Always consult your dentist.
What are the teeth whitening options?
Our dentist at Heritage Dental Group will provide you two types of teeth whitening options:
In-chair professional Zoom teeth whitening – At Heritage Dental Group, our experienced dentists provide Zoom in-chair teeth whitening which takes 75-90 minutes and you walk out with a whiter smile.
At home teeth whitening kits – Your dentist will suggest making custom made teeth whitening trays which you can use for 15-20 minutes for a couple of days a week, weekly or fortnightly.
Over the counter Bleaching products – You may have seen teeth whitening toothpaste and other teeth whitening products at your local chemist or supermarket, these products have lower concentration of bleaching agent than what your dentist use. Before starting any teeth whitening treatment, talk to your dentist about your teeth whitening options.
Am I a suitable candidate for Zoom teeth whitening?
Our dentist at Heritage Dental Group will check your teeth and gums and decide if you are suitable for Zoom teeth whitening or not. If you have sensitive teeth, you smoke or you have heavily discoloured teeth, the dentist will explain all the possible treatment options and outcomes. Most people are suitable for teeth whitening.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
Teeth whitening is not permanent, it can last anywhere from couple of months to 1-2 years. It all depends on your individual lifestyle preferences. If you are smoking or drinking black coffee, tea, red wine or consuming dark foods, your teeth whitening treatment will not last as long. Talk to our dentists at Heritage Dental Group about how to maintain white teeth.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Teeth whitening is a safe procedure if performed by an experienced dentist. Your dentist will ask you to wear goggles, use gel to protect your lips and cover your gums to keep them safe. Your dentist will decide which teeth whitening is best suited for your teeth. Always consult your dentist before starting on any teeth whitening products.
How much teeth whitening costs?
At Heritage Dental Group, Zoom Professional in-chair teeth whitening costs $650 (now on special for $499)
Custom-made take home teeth whitening kits $299
How long does in-chair zoom teeth-whitening take?
Zoom in-chair teeth whitening under Dentist supervision usually takes 90minutes. This includes taking photos at the start, preparing, and covering your gums, 3-4 passes (15minutes each) and taking photos at the end.
Is take home teeth whitening safe?
Custom-made take-home teeth whitening kits from your dentist are safe to use. Your dentist will examine your teeth and make custom fit trays for your teeth and provide you with the teeth whitening gel which is most suitable for you. Always follow your dentist’s instructions when using at home teeth whitening kits.
Does getting professional in -chair zoom teeth whitening hurt?
In most cases adults experience very little discomfort or minor teeth sensitivity. Minor discomfort from lying down with your mouth open for at least 60-65 minutes.
Which teeth whitening option is better?
Teeth whitening option depends on your individual teeth and preferences. Professional in-office Zoom teeth whitening is a quick, effective way to whiten your teeth 7-8 shades brighter. Our dentist will examine your teeth and discuss which teeth whitening option is right for you. On the other hand, custom made teeth whitening kits to use at home are a great alternative to maintain the white bright smile.
What are the potential risks or side effects from teeth whitening treatment?
Some of the side effects of in chair teeth whitening include – tooth and gum sensitivity, which is temporary, over whitening can occur after teeth whitening treatment but very rare.
With take home teeth whitening kits, if you ingest the teeth whitening gel, you can experience nausea, burning and vomiting. Chances of getting this are rare if you have your custom-made trays by your dentist. Always consult your dentist before starting any teeth whitening at home and if you are not sure about how and what to use, please contact our team at Heritage Dental Group on 38783384.
Can teeth-whitening cause tooth sensitivity?
Teeth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity, but it is reversible over time. Tooth sensitivity is treatable with over-the-counter painkillers and is for a short period only.
How can I reduce the tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening treatment?
Tooth sensitivity can be reduced with sensitive toothpaste for a couple of days, using a relief gel your dentist will provide you after Zoom in-chair teeth whitening and by avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks for a couple of days.
Does teeth-whitening damage my teeth?
No, teeth-whitening treatment from your professional dentist will not harm your tooth enamel. Teeth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity but will not cause damage to your teeth.
Does teeth whitening have any effect on fillings and crowns?
Teeth whitening does not affect the colour of your existing fillings and crowns. Your dentist will suggest changing the colour of your fillings and replacing crowns to match the colour of your whiter teeth.
Can teeth-whitening treatment damage my gums?
Teeth whitening procedure can cause temporary gum irritation but does not cause permanent damage to your gums. Always consult your dentist before any kind of teeth whitening treatment. Your dentist will make custom made trays for your teeth to reduce the risk of gum irritation and gum sensitivity to use at home.
Can I smoke after teeth whitening?
Smoking or tobacco causes deep staining within the tooth enamel. Smoking should be avoided after zoom teeth whitening treatment for at least a week. If you smoke, you will require more frequent teeth whitening treatments to keep your teeth white.
Can I drink alcohol after teeth whitening treatment?
You should avoid wine and alcoholic drinks after teeth whitening treatment as it can reverse the teeth whitening treatment. Your teeth are most likely to stain after teeth whitening as it opens the pores on your teeth. Try to avoid red wine and other drinks for at least 48 hours after zoom teeth whitening treatment.
How can I keep my teeth white for longer?
You can keep your teeth white for longer after Zoom teeth whitening by avoiding dark foods and beverages. If you cannot go without dark staining drinks, use a straw to avoid contact with your teeth. Good oral hygiene routines like brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day helps keep the teeth clean. You can also ask your dentist to make a custom-made take-home teeth whitening kit to maintain your teeth colour at home. To make at home teeth whitening, our dentist will take impressions of your teeth and make custom fit trays, provide you with the teeth whitening gel and provide you with instruction on how to use and what to avoid.
What causes tooth discolouration?
Tooth discoloration can be a result of smoking, coffee, tea, red wine, soft drinks, or some antibiotics. At your teeth whitening consultation, your dentist will check your medical history, foods choices and decide on your teeth whitening options.
What can I eat after Zoom in-chair teeth whitening?
We provide our patients with the list of foods and drinks to choose from after zoom teeth whitening. It is recommended that you avoid dark staining foods and beverages for first 48 hours and consume white foods only. Foods like white bread, rice, cauliflower, bananas, potatoes, white yogurt etc. Basically, the rule of the thumb is anything that can stain your white shirt can stain your teeth after Zoom in-chair teeth whitening treatment.
What foods and drinks should I avoid after Zoom in-chair teeth whitening?
You should avoid dark staining foods and drinks for at least 24-48 hours after Zoom in-chair teeth whitening. Dark staining drinks may include tea, coffee, red wine and fruit juices. Dark staining foods like Soy sauce, chocolate, tomato sauce, beetroots, spinach, Bolognese and all fruits except bananas should be avoided.
What are other alternative treatments to change the look and colour of my teeth?
Teeth whitening is used to lighten the colour of your teeth but there are other alternative treatment options like Veneers, crowns or replacing old fillings with white fillings. Book your appointment with our experienced dentists at Heritage Dental Group to discuss your dental treatment options. We love creating beautiful smiles, giving our patients all the possible options, taking care of their preferences and helping them gain a beautiful healthy smile.
How whiter will my teeth be after Zoom in-chair teeth whitening?
Our dentist will take the shade of your teeth and some photos before starting the zoom teeth whitening. Phillips Zoom technology is clinically proven to whiten your teeth 7-8 shades lighter in 60 minutes. Zoom teeth whitening is safe, effective and provides outstanding results under dentist supervision. For more information, please contact our team at Heritage Dental Group on 38783384.
For more information, please contact our team at Heritage Dental Group on 07 38783384
WE PROMISE, ‘A GENTLE CARING DENTAL EXPERIENCE.’