A Brighter Whiter Smile Is Yours To Keep

Teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that provides excellent results making it the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world. At Tower, we offer a full range of professional teeth whitening solutions for patients in Balwyn and Deepdene. If you have stained teeth and want to whiten and brighten your smile, why not speak to one of our friendly reception team to setup a cosmetic appointment with one of our dentists.

Is teeth whitening safe?

There are numerous options available when it comes to whitening teeth – from bleaching kits and toothpastes, to in-chair treatments and holistic remedies. Hydrogen peroxide bleaching products have been around for decades. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has also said that hydrogen peroxide whiteners are safe and effective.

If you do use them, here’s how to do so safely:

1. Look for the ADA seal of approval. You’ll find it on whitening toothpastes and teeth bleaching products that have been found safe and effective in independent tests.
2. Follow the instructions. Some products are designed to be used once a day, while others can be used twice a day. To protect your teeth, be sure to follow the product’s instructions.
3. Ask your dentist if these products are right for you. Bleaching products work best on teeth that have yellowed with aging, or teeth that are stained from food and drink. But brown or gray discoloration could signal problems that a bleaching kit won’t fix. It’s also important to tackle concerns like gum disease or cavities before starting a bleaching treatment. Your dentist can also recommend the best product for you, and make sure you’re doing it right.

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Reasons for darkened and discolored teeth

There are many reasons why your teeth may darken. Some we can’t control, such as age or accidents when we are young that may disturb our tooth enamel’s development. That’s why it’s important to discuss any plans you have for whitening your teeth with your dentist. He or she will be able to tell you if your tooth discoloration is simply staining caused by lifestyle factors — such as drinking too much coffee — or may be more a matter of dental health. Although whitening is usually done for cosmetic reasons, your dentist can guide you on what options you have for treating the type of staining you have. The good news is that in many cases reversing teeth stains is within our reach. That makes pursuing a healthy white smile worthwhile.

Tooth stains caused by lifestyle and environmental causes:

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1. Drinks: The most common drinks that stain teeth include coffee, tea, soda, wine, and acidic fruit juice.
2. Tobacco products: Smoking and chewing tobacco stains teeth. Choose now to quit smoking, not just for your oral health, but your overall well-being.
3. Poor oral hygiene: Forgetting to brush and floss gives stain-producing substances from tobacco and certain beverages enough time to discolor your teeth. Rinsing with mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride could also result in staining.
4. Excessive fluoride: In small doses, fluoride is an important tooth protector, but in high doses, it can cause your teeth to discolor. Elevated exposure may come from high fluoride content in the local water supply or excessive use of fluoride toothpaste, rinses, and supplements.
5. Disease: Some diseases affect either the tooth enamel (the hard outer surface of your teeth) or the dentin (the material under the enamel), resulting in tooth discoloration. Some medical treatments also affect tooth color, including chemotherapy and radiation of the head and neck.
6. Medications: Tetracycline and doxycycline are antibiotics that can discolor children’s developing teeth. Certain antihistamines, antihypertensive drugs, and antipsychotic medications can also stain teeth.

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7. Dental restoration materials: Metal amalgam fillings obviously darken the tooth they fill, but they can even cast a gray color across the rest of your teeth, especially if the filling contains silver sulfide.
8. Trauma: Getting hit in the mouth may disturb enamel formation in children’s developing teeth or disrupt blood flow to a particular tooth, causing it to “die” and turn gray.
9. Old age: The outer layer of enamel naturally becomes worn away as you age, revealing the yellow color of dentin beneath.
10. Genetics: If you’re born with naturally dull or thin enamel, your teeth may simply lack the bright shade of white that others can achieve.

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Does teeth whitening affect your enamel?

Contrary to popular belief, your tooth enamel is safe, teeth whitening doesn’t damage your tooth enamel.

The main portion of the tooth, the dentin, is the portion of the tooth that’s responsible for your teeth’s color. The teeth are first coated with a whitening solution on the front surface of the tooth. The solution will then travel through the tooth enamel to the dentin. The stained tissue in the inner layer will begin to lighten. 

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Dental whitening products only remove surface stains that are in the microscopic pores of your teeth. The bleach does not penetrate deeply within the tooth.

At Tower Dental, our dentists are passionate about providing every patient the best cosmetic dentistry experience possible. Our entire team is fully committed to help provide you with a whiter brighter smile. Whether you have slightly stained teeth or significant staining, the Tower Dental cosmetic dentistry team is here to help support you through your journey to a whiter and brighter smile. For further information on teeth whitening call us on (03) 9817 7144 to book your appointment today. We are conveniently located in Balwyn, only a short drive away from Deepdene, Kew, Mont Albert, Camberwell, Surrey Hills and Hawthorn.