FAQ

Below the surface into the gum and bone, your tooth has a root. Like a carrot has fluffy green leaves above the soil and the orange root vegetable part is below ground in the soil. Your tooth has a hard white bit above the gum and a softer fleshy root below the gum. Just like when you pull a carrot out of the ground by gently rocking it back and forth; to loosen the soil around it before you can easily pull it out of the soil. Your dentist will need to do the same with your tooth. The root part of the tooth is firmly planted in bone (its socket), and tightly held in place. So the socket needs to be temporarily ever so slightly expanded so that the tooth can be separated before it is pulled out. For you this will feel like a strong rocking pressure as your dentist wiggles your tooth (with a dental tool that might remind you of a set of pliers!). Unlike when you were a child loosing your baby teeth. When you wiggled your teeth to help them fall out there may have been aching or pain. When your dentist is wiggling your tooth you will feel nothing, because your mouth is numb. Your dentist will continue to rock the tooth until your tooth is loose and free to come out. Once it is loose your dentist will lift the tooth out.

Dentists are often asked the question of how well home teeth whitening works and whether one method is better than another. To start with, any form of whitening does not make your teeth pure white; this would look strange and unnatural. With home teeth whitening, the change in whiteness is subtle. Though most people will see a noticeable difference between upper teeth that have been whitened and lower teeth that have not. There is some research that points to home teeth whitening being slightly more effective for younger people. Make sure that you’re not adding to the problem and avoid things that will yellow your teeth. If you need an independent assessment on how well teeth whitening could work on your own teeth, visit out Teeth Whitening Treatments page or call us at one of our clinics.

Whitening toothpastes contain ingredients that help remove stains on the surface of your teeth by containing a gentle abrasive. This means that they lightly polish the surface and so are unable to change the natural tooth colour. Many of the whitening toothpastes you can buy also contain phosphate compounds which are included because they reduce the formation of calculus/tartar which keeps the tooth surface clean. This doesn’t directly whiten your teeth, but it helps to reduce staining. The cleaning ingredients/detergents in these toothpastes help to remove loosely attached surface stains but are not able to change the colour of your teeth. There is No physical or chemical way that products that use abrasion can (influence chromogenic) change the colour of your teeth. Stains which can be organic or inorganic in nature usually occur within the enamel or dentine of teeth, and since abrasion happens entirely on the surface of your tooth, this method of whitening is limited in the results that can be achieved.

Internal stains are normally treated using oxygen-releasing chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or chlorites. These chemicals can penetrate deep into the tooth to create a bleaching effect. There are a few different ways in which these chemicals can be used for teeth whitening – Paint on: The treatment is a liquid that you paint on to your teeth and can be done as an at-home treatment. Adhesives: These are sticky strips that you stick on to your teeth, one tooth at a time and left in place overnight. Nightguard bleaching: This treatment uses a special gel that you put into a mouthguard style tray which you put in your mouth and wear for several hours. Power bleaching: A professional treatment done in your dentist’s clinic. A gel is applied to your teeth and then activated using high intensity lights, lasers or ozone. When staining is deep within the structure of the tooth, there are a few of ways to improve the colour of your teeth. In some cases replacing old fillings can improve the look of your front teeth, in particular. However, when teeth are heavily stained, veneers or crowns can be a better treatment solution, as they can be colour selected and also remedy any other faults you’d like to improve the look of and still have a natural looking smile.

Yes, at-home teeth whitening can be just as effective as in-dental clinic whitening, and is better for patients that have extremely sensitive teeth. For some patients their best choice for teeth whitening will be an at-home whitening kit provided by their dentist. One that has properly moulded mouth trays and professional active gel solutions. This is because the amount of staining on their teeth needs a lot of attention, or because of teeth sensitivity. The at-home option allows you to get a lovely white smile by regularly applying the tooth bleach and whitening treatments in a way that causes the least amount of sensation to your teeth. To get a professional opinion and advice on which approach will be best for you, call Dental Care Professionals for an obligation-free Teeth Whitening Consultation. During your consultation ask all your questions and get professional advice about your unique situation.

There are a lot of great options for whitening your teeth but if you suffer from sensitive teeth, then sometimes these procedures can make your teeth and gums extremely sore. After using a whitening treatment, there are options to reduce the increased teeth sensitivity the treatment causes, especially whitening methods that have bleach as part of their formulation. use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, before and after using tooth whitening agents. These types of toothpastes have ingredients such as potassium nitrate, which is very effective for reducing sensitivity in teeth and gums irrespective of what has caused the teeth sensitivity. Chewing sugar-free gum helps distract you from the temporary pain of tooth sensitivity. Scientists have discovered that chewing gum produces more saliva, which hydrates the mouth and reduces the pain and discomfort of sensitive teeth. If you experience increased sensitivity after a whitening procedure, then give your mouth a break. Avoid teeth whitening treatments for a while to give the mouth a chance to recover from the irritation you are experiencing from the teeth whitening agents. Giving your teeth a chance to “settle down” means that it may take a little longer than you might want to get white teeth, but it will reduce the sensitive teeth pain. Monitor how often you’re using your “at home” treatments (such as a whitening pen, strip or a mouth tray) to see if you’re doing it too regularly for your teeth. Getting your sensitive teeth whitened at the dentist’s surgery is usually more comfortable for people with sensitive teeth, as your dentist will ask you about the condition of your teeth before teeth whitening treatments begin so they can monitor and adjust the treatment accordingly. Having sensitive teeth doesn’t mean you can’t get your teeth whitened. It just means you have to be aware that you are likely to have a pain reaction if you do have sensitive teeth and to make sure you manage the process appropriately. If you’re one of those people who have more than usual tooth sensitivity, then we’d recommend you speak to your dentist before you start any form of teeth whitening. They will be able to advise you for your special situation.

Next your dentist will clean up and close the tooth extraction site. They will make sure to remove any tissue that could cause an infection. Followed by some “irrigation” of the socket. Basically they wash out the socket to ensure it is clean. If your dentist is concerned about bleeding, they may place something in the socket to promote blood clotting. Next they’ll use their finger and apply pressure to the socket. This is to re-compress the socket, making it smaller again. Your dentist may give you an ice pack to put on your face to reduce swelling. Though it’s not needed for all patients. Now that your tooth is removed, your dentist will take you through the post-procedure care instructions you’ll need to follow at home. Some people feel a little unsteady or dizzy after getting a tooth pulled. That’s OK. You’ve just been through something out of the ordinary.

Teeth whitening makes teeth appear whiter, stain-free and makes the smile more aesthetically pleasing and is one of the safest and most popular procedures in dentistry. Hydrogen peroxide (in the active gel) is actually produced naturally in the body in small amounts. It’s effects on the body have been studied for many years and considered safe when used exactly as instructed. When home whitening is carried out according to your dentist’s instructions, it is a safe, simple treatment. It’s important to bear in mind however that no matter what treatment you use, there’s a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There’s also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel. To get the right independent assessment of how well teeth whitening could work on your own teeth, and any safety precautions you may need to take, visit out Teeth Whitening Treatments page or call us at one of our clinics.

Teeth Whitening Systems are specially formulated step-by-step processes for whitening your teeth that can be done in the comfort of your home or done professionally by your dentist in their clinic. Each System has it’s own unique combination of things to do and apply to your teeth to get whiter teeth. They can also be special purpose and only be suitable for patients with certain types of teeth or particular dental health conditions. There are a number of recognised brands in Teeth Whitening Systems and your dentist may be able to advise you on the risks and benefits of each one for your situation.

Yes you can whiten your teeth at home. At-home teeth whitening systems available from your dentist have customised whitening trays that you fill with an “active” gel yourself. Depending on the level of staining on your teeth, the recommended length of time your dentist prescribes you leave the trays in your mouth and the amount of whitening you want to achieve will determine for how long you have to go through this process. An at-home whitening kit from your dentist will be created for you with custom-fitted whitening trays moulded for you, with concentrated, professional-strength teeth whitening gel. This tooth whitening gel is used daily to provide a gradual whitening solution. To get the right independent assessment of how well teeth whitening could work on your own teeth, and any safety precautions you may need to take, visit out Teeth Whitening Treatments page or call us at one of our clinics.

Teeth Bleaching can Lighten and Brighten Your Smile a sparkling white smile appeals to many as a sign of good health and youthful beauty. Having attractive teeth can also give your self confidence a boost. Unfortunately our teeth don’t always look as white as we’d like them to, or is the fashion of the day. Sometimes the foods and drinks we like cause staining and discolouration. Smoking is another culprit, as is the age old unavoidable act of ageing, which can cause your teeth to yellow. It happens to almost everyone eventually. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Options such as teeth bleaching or teeth whitening is a relatively inexpensive way to enhance a faded smile. In-Clinic Teeth Whitening You’ve probably seen many over-the-counter products that claim to whiten teeth to varying degrees. But the strongest and fastest acting whitening solutions are only available in your dentist’s office. These solutions can whiten teeth 3-8 shades in a single hour and can last from 6 months to 2 years. First your dentist will protect your gums and, if necessary, the roots of your teeth to ensure your safety. Then a professional-strength bleaching solution is applied. Often a special light or laser will be used to make the bleach work faster. Another way to whiten your teeth is with a take-home kit prescribed by your dentist. First your dentist makes moulds of your teeth. Then, thin plastic mouth trays are created to fit your teeth, exactly allowing you to apply the bleaching gel. In order to see the desired results, you need to stick with your dentist’s prescribed course of treatment. While this process takes longer, it can also be very effective and less expensive than an in-clinic whitening option. There are a few things you need to know before whitening your teeth. Potential side effects include tooth sensitivity or gum irritation which are usually minor and clear up in a short time. Your dentist can tell you if you’re likely to develop sensitivity based on the condition of your teeth and gums. Be aware that tooth sensitivity or gum irritation can become more serious if you use over-the-counter ill-fitting trays or if the bleach is applied by untrained personnel. Keep in mind that teeth whitening will not affect existing crowns, veneers or fillings. Teeth whitening is not permanent, although it is possible to slow the fading process by avoiding foods and habits that cause staining – and by doing a minor touch-up every so often. Most importantly, studies have found teeth whitening is safe when used exactly as directed. Teeth whitening is today considered by patients to be the most popular and cost-effective way to dramatically enhance you smile.