24 McDowall St, Next to Mitcham Cricket Club, Mitcham VIC 3132

Best Teeth Whitening Services

At Mitcham Dental Clinic we are delighted to be able to offer teeth whitening in Melbourne, servicing the eastern suburbs. It is important to consult a dentist before whitening to assess suitability and choice of whitening procedure – in chair or at home.

Over time our teeth discolour. This is due to our normal everyday activities. Daily function results in wear and tear. We drink coffee and tea, some of us smoke. We eat colourful foods such as sauces and spices.  This is where teeth whitening can assist.

Teeth whitening has its advantage in its simplicity. Teeth whitening is quick, affordable and is non-invasive. It seems that almost yearly the techniques and products, due to much research and development, become easier and more efficient. Whitening teeth, removing the discolourations; the yellows, the browns, and the grey hues, makes a huge change to the beauty of a smile. This results in younger looking teeth and for many an increase in self-confidence.

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

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. Off 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. For some, the result will be many shades lighter, for others a few shades lighter. Either way the teeth will look better! 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, depending on the technique that we ideally tailor to you. Before whitening, it is important to have one of our dental professionals thoroughly clean your teeth. That way the whitening gel can contact the tooth surface optimally.

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. After the process, a custom-made tray and gel are provided for maintenance. The hygienist or dentist will personalise this to each individual.

Our “Take Home” teeth whitening system custom made trays with gel, the concentration is customised to the individual, or the other options we offer at Mitcham Dental Clinic is the latest Opalescence special UltraFit tray system.

A common side effect of teeth whitening is sensitivity, after or during whitening, this is normal and temporary and subsides quickly. This is because teeth will be slightly porous for a short while after whitening so avoid coloured food and drink 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?

  • Due to there not being any 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. As explained above, 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. A good guide is, if the teeth are whiter than the whites of your eyes, that’s when it starts to look ‘too much’’

How long will it last?

  • This varies for everyone. Depending on the initial start shade, the porosity of your enamel and your everyday diet. If you are someone that indulges in lots of coffee and red wine, then your teeth may need more frequent whitening ‘top ups’, rather 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. Usually larger fillings and crowns are on the back-molar teeth on the biting surface – an area that does not get whitened anyway.
  • 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 a root canal treatment. There are certain types of whitening treatments that can be done to help with these, however, they are more involved that the ‘standard’ whitening. Therefore, it is important to have a consult with a dental clinician so they can help you understand the best options for you and gain a reasonable expectation of results.
  • There is one exception of needing to whiten the teeth before getting dental work done. If you are getting aesthetic work done on the front teeth, the whitening should be done before, then a two-week break from when the whitening is completed, and the treatment being performed. This is so the shade of the new treatment matches the new shade of your whitened teeth and you can get 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. Looking into some of these options, we have found that many of them do not contain any active ingredients that would actually whiten your teeth. 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 at the whitening in the shopping centres and beauty therapists?

  • Apart from the fact that not all teeth can be whitened (which usually the shopping centre and beauty therapists may not know this) if whitening is not applied correctly it can lead to damage of both the teeth and gums. We have seen photos of people getting whitening done by people other than dental professionals and although it may not seem apparent to others, we notice that there can be decay that has not been treated, calculus/tartar that has not been removed and even chemical irritation on the gums from the whitening product.

Sometimes it might seem like the person is knowledgeable about the whitening process, they may even have a certificate stating that they are, but unless they are a dentist, dental hygienist or therapist, with the correct qualifications and registrations, they should not be whitening your teeth or even touching your mouth.

Dental professionals are also legally able to purchase and apply whitening products that have a higher amount of peroxide in them (making them work more effectively).

Take-home teeth whitening is an included benefit of our in-house dental savings plan.

 

Teeth Whitening FAQ

Professional Whitening With Opalescence

 

Why Opalescence?

Opalescence is a professional teeth whitener that offers professional results. Safe and effective, Opalescence has been the leader in whitening for over 20 years!