Teeth Whitening: What Works?

Without a doubt,the question our dental clinic team is most commonly asked is about how our patients can achieve whiter teeth. Teeth whitening has been around since the times of the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, and while the practices have changed somewhat (from using a ground pumice stone and wine vinegar paste) and the effectiveness of the treatments vastly improved, the motivation for whitening teeth remains pretty much the same 4,000 years later – white teeth are seen as a sign of beauty.

Teeth whitening has typically been thought of as cosmetic dentistry rather than essential dental treatment. However, dentistry innovations have enhanced the teeth whitening procedure so that it is quick, safe, affordable and accessible to patients and is now considered as part of their regular maintenance dental care regime .

Our patients have their teeth whitened for a host of different reasons:
 

• To boost self-esteem and confidence
• To appear younger
• To enhance their appearance before a special occasion such as a wedding or job interview
• To make a great first impression
• To remove stains and yellowing from smoking, drinking red wine and coffee and eating highly coloured foods

How Can I Whiten My Teeth?

There are two ways of whitening teeth:

 1.  Abrasive products such as whitening toothpastes, gums and mouthwashes

If you go in any pharmacy or grocery store you will see products that claim to whiten your teeth. These off-the-shelf products remove the superficial stains that are on your teeth through abrasive action.

Would you use sandpaper on your teeth? You are at risk of damaging the enamel and irritating the gums. Not only can this compromise your long-term oral hygiene and health , but it can speed up the yellowing of your teeth. It’s best to leave these products on the shelf!

 2.  Applied products which contain penetrative ingredients

While the whitening toothpastes attack the surfaces of your teeth, they fail to remove the colour from the dentine (the layer below the enamel), and so only minimal benefits will ever be seen. Using penetrative chemicals to whiten teeth means that the whitening occurs from inside your tooth. Not only is this more effective and long lasting, but when done correctly, it is far less damaging too.

Extensively bleaching your teeth can cause tooth sensitivity which is why use should be partnered with professional advice. At Duxton Dental, with almost 20 years experience in tooth whitening, international research has led us to the Opalescence system which provides superior teeth whitening .

The best way to prolong the brightness of your smile is to take good care of your teeth. You need to take consistent preventive care: 

• Brush your teeth twice a day as a minimum
• Use a soft brush that won’t damage the enamel and bring the dentin to the surface or hurt your gums
• Avoid stain causing foods and drinks (use a straw if possible)
• Visit your dentist regularly to maintain your oral hygiene

At Duxton Dental, we are committed to helping our patients achieve the smile that they want. Whether you need quality dentalcare or wish to learn more about our teeth whitening dental services, please contact our Riccarton dentists in Christchurch on 03 348 5488 , we look forward to hearing from you.