You may feel your teeth are a bit discoloured and would like to explore options to achieve an all-round beautiful smile.
Straight teeth with a white and sparking colour makes us feel more confident about our smile.
Most of us would agree that having nice straight teeth combined with a white and sparking colour makes us feel more confident about our smile, particularly after going through Orthodontic treatment. You may find your teeth are a bit discoloured and would like to explore some options to achieve an all-round beautiful smile.
What external factors may cause spots and marks on teeth or make them yellow?
- Plaque and Tartar
Dental plaque is a slimy sticky film containing bacteria, food debris and saliva in the mouth. If plaque doesn’t get removed daily, it can cause decay. One of the signs of early stage of decay is white spots.
When plaque sits too long it hardens and becomes tartar, which has darker colour. - Diet
Foods that stains teeth are another main reason for tooth discolouration. Some examples include coffee, tea, curry, red wine, dark juices, soy sauce and even tomato sauce.
How soon can I have teeth whitening after finishing orthodontic treatment?
It is recommended by the Australian Society of Orthodontist to wait for at least 6 months after completing orthodontic treatment, because your teeth may feel a little sensitive for a short period of time. Giving your teeth extra time to settle will make the progress of teeth whitening more comfortable and effective.
Who should I seek for advice?
It’s a great idea to discuss teeth whitening with your general dentist as they know you and your dental history.
What are my best available options to whiten teeth?
- In-house teeth whitening: This may be the quickest and most effective way of teeth whitening and is done by professionals. Whitening gel is safely applied to your teeth and activated by LED light. The whole process is closely monitored by a dental profession throughout, typically lasting 75-120 minutes.
- Take-home teeth whitening: Whitening gel is applied to custom-made whitening trays that you can use at home, for 30-60 minutes daily for 1-2 weeks.
Many dentists also offer this option and can select the most suitable types of whitening gel for you. - Internal teeth whitening: this is an option applied by a Dental professional and is for teeth that have trauma and died because these teeth are unlikely to response to the other whitening treatments discussed above.
A Note on Charcoals and Whitening Toothpastes– We receive a good many enquiries about products such as Charcoal and Whitening Toothpastes. These are not recommended for use on a daily basis as they can be quite abrasive and damaging to tooth enamel. It is best to discuss the benefits and risks of these products with your dental professional.
