Teeth Whitening – Why It’s Better at the Dentist
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Are your patients’ smiles up to scratch? Are stained, yellowing teeth letting them down? Do you offer different teeth whitening approaches?
First impressions count, and a smile is a big part of the first impression one makes. A bright, sparkling white smile will take a person a long way with others, both socially and in the workplace.
Too many people don’t have this asset – and their self-confidence and performance in life can take a hit if they have stained discoloured teeth.
Among the many, many dental supplies in Sydney and beyond that we stock here at Adam Dental Supplies are professional-grade teeth whitening products, tools, and accessories. These are suited for in-office whitening procedures and dentist-prescribed take-home whitening systems.
Why Have Teeth Whitening?
Newly erupted teeth are a shiny, bright shade of white or ivory. Over time, the enamel will become dull and the teeth may become stained. The lustre of youth will likely be diminished or even lost by middle age.
Enamel is the hard substance the constitutes the surface of and protects the teeth. Despite this, teeth are porous and will absorb small amounts of the food and drinks we consume. Coffee, red wine, carbonated drinks, liquorice, beetroot, and cigarette by-products will, over time, settle into the teeth’s enamel and ultimately result in staining, discolouration, and a duller smile.
How vulnerable or resistant the teeth are to staining and discolouration depends on factors including:
- Genetics and natural ageing
- Drug use (prescription and illicit)
- Exposure to childhood illnesses
- Dental infection or trauma
- Fluoride in the drinking water supply
- Foods and drinks consumed
- Smoking
- Poor oral hygiene
- Whether or not professional dental care visits are maintained
Teeth whitening is a safe and effective solution to improve the appearance of dull or stained natural teeth. It works by closing the pores in the enamel and removing the stains.
Teeth Whitening Options
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Several teeth whitening systems are available, and some are more effective. A good dental clinic will offer alternatives based on the individual patient’s needs and an array of preferred whitening products will be among the dental supplies or on hand.
- Whitening Toothpaste cleans the mouth and helps remove surface stains caused by foods and drinks. It helps the teeth to shine more brightly. This is the simplest, most affordable and common approach to teeth whitening and it works best when used daily on an ongoing basis.
- Whitening Strips are flexible strips containing whitening material and are purchased over the counter. They are placed over each row of teeth and work over a few days. This generic solution is only effective on mildly to moderately stained teeth. A budget-friendly option, it’s ideal for self-managed home use.
- Custom Tray Bleaching is a reliable whitening method that some dentists prescribe. Custom-fit trays are filled with whitening agents and these are worn over the teeth for a set period over several days or weeks.
- In-Chair Whitening is a tailored, professional approach to teeth whitening. Concentrated, prescription-grade hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth by the dentist in the clinic and this is activated by a laser device. The lips and gums are protected during the procedure and the process is quick. This approach is recommended for patients who have receding gums, oral lesions, or any dental issue.
In-Office Whitening Is Best!
Though costlier, in-office teeth whitening achieves the best cosmetic results and works on even severely stained teeth. Some dentists may prefer certain patients use a supervised at-home custom tray treatment.
A dentist is the best-qualified person to understand a patient’s cosmetic goals and they should have the right dental supplies to meet these goals based on various factors. |