There are numerous benefits to having a beautiful, bright white smile. However, many people experience tooth sensitivity when they use bleaching products, either over-the-counter or in a professional setting. At The Paddington Dental Surgery, we offer the latest techniques in teeth whitening to help you achieve the smile you desire with less discomfort. Additionally, there are many ways you can prepare your teeth before and during treatment, as well as help reduce the risk of sensitivity after a procedure, all from the comfort of your home.
Before Bleaching
If you know you have sensitive teeth, try using toothpaste and mouthwash products specifically formulated to help minimise the risk of a painful reaction. You should also be brushing your teeth and gums in soft circles with a soft-bristled brush to avoid damage that could be irritated by whitening agents.
During Bleaching
Again, continue to use a soft brush for oral hygiene. If you’re using at-home whitening trays and you find that discomfort persists, you may want to try whitening every other day or asking one of our dentists for a lower peroxide level. Over-the-counter pain medication can also help manage short-term discomfort. Another option we may be able to provide is fluoride gel, which can be placed in the mouth trays to reduce the strength of the whitening solution.
After Bleaching
Avoid excessive use of bleaching treatments. We recommend always following your dentist’s instructions for use, including when to stop. Once you complete the process, sensitivity should subside quickly. In the event discomfort continues, contact us right away. You may have a cavity or another concern that is causing trouble.
Not sure if teeth bleaching is right for you? Contact us today to talk about your needs and goals. We can answer your questions and help you schedule a consultation.
Professional teeth bleaching, such as KöR® and Zoom!®, can help your smile look its very best, but no whitener available has permanent results. So how long do the results of teeth whitening last? And what can you do to extend the benefits? Our skilled dentists explain what happens once you head back home or after the trays come out, and what you can do to maintain the smile you love.
Your diet plays a major role in how long your teeth will remain as bright and beautiful as when you finished whitening. A wide range of foods and beverages can stain teeth, including tea, coffee, soda, wine, juice, and other drinks, as well as berries, lemons, tomatoes, and other foods. A good rule of thumb is this: If it can stain your shirt, it can stain your teeth. If you can manage to limit or mostly avoid these treats, your teeth will remain white longer.
Another trick to extending the results of your teeth bleaching is to use whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes between touch-ups. These products help clear away minor stains and food particles for lasting radiance.
Your results will be unique to your teeth and your habits, but, in general, teeth bleaching can last around six months or more. That doesn’t mean you’ll need the same level of treatment at the six-month mark. You can perform occasional touch-ups to maintain the look you love for as long as you like. Our customised dental trays make maintenance easy. Of course, you can always wait a little longer and undergo a professional bleaching session again for more comprehensive results. Your smile goals are singular, and we can help you achieve them.
For more information about teeth whitening, including how long your results will last, please contact our office today. Our friendly team can answer questions or help you schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists.
As a fast and easy way to enhance your appearance, teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available. For many people, the question comes down to approach. Are over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products or professional bleaching treatments better? There are many differences between the two techniques, and the right one for you will depend on a number of factors. Regardless of your goals, our experienced dentists at The Paddington Dental Surgery can help you achieve the bright smile you desire.
An essential difference between professional bleaching – including KöR® and Zoom!® – and OTC whitening is that the terms whitening and bleaching are not synonymous. A bleaching treatment must contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to be labelled as such. A whitening treatment can be any product that removes food or debris from the teeth. Some OTC teeth whiteners contain bleach and others don’t, so be sure and check the packaging.
Professional bleaching treatments, whether they are completed in office or offered as an at-home treatment, typically contain a stronger bleaching agent than OTC products. Hydrogen peroxide is also much stronger than carbamide peroxide. It’s also important to note that professional techniques come with the reassurance that a dentist is supervising your care.
The strips and mouth trays that come with OTC products are one-size-fits-all. That may be fine for some people, but many individuals consider the appliances uncomfortable. Custom-made trays from our dentists not only fit better, they may also reduce gum irritation as the whitening agent can more easily remain on the teeth and not spread to other areas of the mouth.
Generally speaking, the OTC products are less expensive than professional treatments, which is why so many people choose them. However, professional teeth bleaching can achieve much more comprehensive results, often in far less time, than OTC products.
There’s a lot of information about whitening products, and we’re here to help. If you have questions about teeth whitening, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled dentists, please contact us today.
