Best Teeth Whitening Services

At Mitcham Dental Clinic we offer teeth whitening services. Teeth whitening can be a quick, simple way to refresh your smile and get them back to those pearly whites. It can improve the look of your smile and get them looking their best for those special occasions!

Causes of tooth discolouration

There are a number of reasons why teeth discolour. Over time, our teeth can discolour from some of our favourite foods such as coffee, tea, soda water, wine, spices and smoking. Dark foods such as blueberries, beetroot and cherries can also cause our teeth to discolour.

Other reasons include age, medications and your teeth naturally being yellow.

Can I whiten my teeth?

Before whitening, it is important to consult a dentist to assess your teeth to determine which procedure (in chair or take home) would be most suitable. It is also important to have one of our dental professionals thoroughly clean your teeth so that the whitening gel can contact the tooth optimally.

A common question we hear at Mitcham Dental Clinic is “How does it work and do the results last?”

Teeth whitening works by the whitening gel flowing into the microscopic pores that are on the surface of our teeth. This is where the stains from foods and drinks build up and the gel can remove these stains. In fact, the tooth ends up being the colour it was when it first appeared in the mouth. Of course we are all different, and so the original colour of the tooth will be different for all of us. For that reason, results will vary.

We find that some stains are more easily removed. Yellow and brown stains seem to be the most amenable to tooth whitening. That is good news! To maintain the result achieved (because after all many of us Melbournians love our coffee and condiments) we have processes in place that we tailor to you.

There are two ways to whiten teeth. 1) “In chair”, where the whitening is performed by a dental professional and takes up to 2 hours, and 2) “take home” where products and specially fitted trays are provided to be used at home regularly.

Our “In Chair” teeth whitening system utilises the Australian made Pola whitening system. The beauty of this system is that it gives instant results. A special protective guard is placed on the gums and the gel is applied to the teeth. A LED light is used to activate the gel.

Our “Take Home” teeth whitening system consists of custom made trays with whitening gels that you use yourself at home. The other option we offer at Mitcham Dental Clinic is the latest Opalescence special UltraFit tray system.

A common side effect of teeth whitening is sensitivity, during or after whitening. The sensitivity is temporary and subsides quickly. This is because teeth will be slightly porous for a short while after whitening, so coloured food and drinks are to be avoided for a couple of days after whitening treatment is completed.

Teeth whitening is safe and does not damage the enamel of the teeth, if supervised by a dental professional.

Here are some common questions we are frequently asked at Mitcham Dental Clinic.

Can I get my teeth whitened if I am pregnant or breast feeding?

• As there aren’t many scientific studies done on pregnant and breastfeeding women and teeth whitening (ethically, no one wants to volunteer as it ‘could’ impact the development of the baby), it is best to be on the safe side and wait. And a good way to treat yourself after all that hard work!!

Will it damage my enamel?

• Many people ask if whitening will ‘thin’ or damage the enamel. The whitening gel gets into the microscopic ‘pores’ of the enamel to essentially ‘bleach’ these stains away. It does not strip a layer of the enamel, nor does it affect the structural integrity of the tooth.

Can I whiten too much?

• If the take home whitening systems are used too much it can lead to your teeth feeling extremely sensitive, the gums may start to become irritated, and sometimes the teeth can become more transparent (especially towards the edge of the teeth) which may leave an odd appearance. Our dentists will guide you through the whitening process to ensure minimal side effects and optimal aesthetic results.

How long will it last?

• This varies for everyone. The results will depend on the initial start shade, the porosity of your enamel and your everyday diet. If you are someone who indulges in lots of coffee and red wine, then your teeth may need more frequent whitening ‘top ups’ than someone who doesn’t.

Will it work on all of my teeth?

• It is important to get your teeth assessed before thinking about whitening by one of our dental professionals at Mitcham Dental Clinic, as whitening is not suitable for everyone. It is best to make sure that the health of your mouth is stable prior to starting any type of whitening procedures. This includes having any broken or decayed teeth restored, ensuring your gum health is well maintained and having a professional dental clean performed to remove any hard deposits and stains that the whitening will not remove.
• It is important to keep in mind that anything that is not natural enamel, will not whiten. So, if you are someone that has crowns, veneers, or fillings, they will not change colour. Usually, this is only a concern if these types of restorations are on the front teeth. Your dentist will outline any potential teeth/fillings that may need further treatment after whitening for optimal shade matching.
• Some teeth are stained from with-in the tooth. This could be from taking certain medications when the teeth were being formed (either in-utero or as a young child), from the way your enamel has formed, or if you have had root canal treatment. These may require additional “internal whitening” treatments. Therefore, it is important to have a consult with a dental clinician so they can help you understand your best options and gain a reasonable expectation of results.
• It is generally recommended that all dental work is to be done before teeth whitening is performed. However, there is one exception to this. If you are getting aesthetic work done on your front teeth, whitening should be completed first as directed by your dentist. This is so the shade of the new treatment matches the new shade of your whitened teeth to achieve a beautiful even smile.

I have seen whitening advertised on social media that I can buy online, does this work?

• You can pretty much buy anything on the internet these days, whitening being one of them. Sometimes these products can be abrasive and are more of a ‘stain remover’, which can be damaging to your teeth, causing abrasion of the enamel and sensitivity. Others also may just have ingredients in them that cause dehydration of the enamel, causing the teeth to appear whiter for a short amount of time.

What about the whitening in the shopping centers and beauty therapists?

Whitening is considered safe but is not without side effects. If whitening is not applied correctly, it can lead to damage of teeth and/or gums. We always recommend that dental treatment is only performed by a dentist, dental hygienist or therapist, with the correct qualifications and registrations.