If you are thinking about whitening your teeth, you may be wondering how long it will take to achieve your desired level of brightness. Continue reading to learn about how long it takes to whiten teeth.
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What Causes Tooth Staining and Discoloration?
Before you pursue professional teeth whitening in Sydney, it is important to first understand what caused the staining or discoloration in the first place.
Below are common causes of tooth staining and discoloration:
- Tea/Coffee
- Red Wine
- Soda/Energy Drinks
- Tobacco Use
- Chemotherapy
- Prescription Medications
- Blunt-Force Trauma
- Poor Home Care
- Failure to Attend Professional Dental Cleanings
- Aging (Tooth Enamel Darkens With Age)
A thorough consultation with your dentist will help you determine the cause of your staining. This will ultimately help you make a more informed approach to whitening your teeth.
How is Teeth Whitening Done?
Teeth whitening is typically completed using one of two methods: in-chair whitening application and take-home kits.
In-Chair Whitening
In-chair teeth whitening is done right here in our Sydney dental office using a system called Zoom.
To begin the process, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned; this helps ensure that there is no plaque or tartar inside the mouth that will prevent the whitening from taking full effect. A retractor is used to keep your gums retracted during the treatment, and a protective coating is applied to the gums.
Next, a professional-grade teeth whitening gel is applied to the teeth. A blue LED light is placed directly over the teeth to speed up the process and produce the best possible results. This process has repeated a total of three times; treatment typically takes around 45 minutes. Once the treatment is finished, the mouth is thoroughly rinsed out, and you will be free to leave with a visibly whiter smile.
Once the treatment is complete, a protective post-treatment gel is applied to the teeth to reduce sensitivity. The results of the whitening treatment vary from patient to patient, but you can expect a noticeably whiter smile. Depending on your desired results, the whitening procedure may have to be repeated a few times.
Take-Home Whitening
Rather than undergoing teeth whitening in the dental office, you also have the option to pursue take-home teeth whitening, as well.
Custom trays will be fabricated for you based upon impressions that are taken of your teeth. You will be given the trays – along with a whitening kit – to take home with you.
Here at FY Smile, we offer two options for take-home teeth whitening in Sydney:
- Day Whitening Kit: The day whitening trays are worn for short periods of 30-90 minutes twice each day. You can expect results in up to 2 weeks.
- Night Whitening Kit: The night whitening trays are worn overnight while you sleep. They can also be worn during the day, but they must be worn for 2-4 hours. You can expect results in up to 6 weeks.
How Long Will It Take To Whiten My Teeth?
Everyone is different, so the amount of time it takes for you to achieve your desired whiteness may vary from the amount of time it takes for someone else.
The amount of time it takes to whiten your teeth also depends on the method of whitening that you use, the current status and shade of your teeth, and the shade that you would like to achieve.
Your dentist or dental hygienist may be able to provide you with an estimation for overall treatment time based on the current status of your teeth and your desired shade.
Keeping a White Smile
After you have undergone teeth whitening, it is important to properly care for your teeth to preserve a bright and white smile.
This means flossing and brushing for a minimum of two minutes, twice daily. It also means that it is important to ensure you are avoiding substances and beverages that may stain the enamel of the teeth, such as red wine, coffee, tea, or tobacco.
It is also important to keep up with your regularly-scheduled professional cleaning appointments; during these appointments, your hygienist works to ensure that all plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth. This is just another way to ensure that the enamel
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
While many people may benefit from professional teeth whitening, it is important to keep in mind that there are some instances in which an individual may not qualify as a teeth whitening candidate.
Below are some things that may negatively impact your candidacy for teeth whitening:
- Pregnancy
- Under the age of 16
- Pre-existing dental crowns, bridges, or veneers (will not whiten since they are not made up of natural tooth enamel)
- Periodontal (gum) disease
Discoloration caused by nerve damage (can be recognized by a gray tooth shade)
If you are not sure if teeth whitening is right for you, a consultation with your dentist or hygienist can help you find out.
FY Smile: Best Teeth Whitening in Sydney
With the information you have learned here, you will be able to take a well-informed approach to pursue teeth whitening in Sydney.
Here at FY Smile, we take pride in helping our patients achieve the smile of their dreams; that’s why we offer comprehensive dental care in Sydney.
If you are in the Double Bay area and searching for the “best teeth whitening in Sydney”, search no longer. For the most comprehensive general dental care in Sydney, place your trust in FY Smile.
Your journey towards the beautiful smile of your dreams starts here. In addition to offering comprehensive dental and orthodontic treatment options in Sydney, FY Smile is proud to operate as an official Digital Smile Design Clinic. Our team of experts will work with you to design a beautiful smile that naturally complements your features and provides you with priceless confidence.
For more information about how long it takes to whiten teeth or to get scheduled in our Double Bay dental office, give us a call anytime at 02 8319 5557.
