Ever thought about getting your teeth whitened? Here's what you need to know.
What is it?
Teeth whitening, also known as bleaching is the process of treating your teeth to make them whiter.
Before you get whitening you will need to go in for a consultation to determine if your teeth and gums are healthy enough for whitening to be performed. Teeth whitening is not suitable for everyone. If you require treatment for an oral health condition you might not be eligible for whitening.
At Lumino we offer a variety of teeth whitening options including custom-made take-home kits to in-chair whitening in practice. Results can vary, but generally improvement is great enough for you to see a change in a very short time.
Do I need teeth whitening?
You might have thought about whitening your teeth because you have an event coming up. It might be because you have stained or yellow teeth from health issues, diet or from previously being a smoker. Or you may just want to feel more confident about your smile.
Whatever your reason is for wanting to brighten your smile, teeth whitening can transform your smile and boost your self esteem.
In-chair teeth whitening
In-practice teeth whitening is a professional whitening procedure that's done in the dental chair. It's the fastest and most effective way to whiten teeth and usually takes around one-and-a-half to two hours to complete. In-practice whitening is the best option if you want almost 'instant' results.
The dentist or hygienist will first apply a protective gel to your lips and gums, followed by the application of the whitening gel to the teeth. The gel (which contains hydrogen peroxide) is then activated by a special LED light. The process varies in length, depending on the depth of the stain and the goal level of whiteness. It can be a little uncomfortable having your mouth open for such a long time, but many patients find listening to music or watching a movie helps to distract them. The upside is that there is usually only one treatment required. Deep staining may require additional treatments.
You need to see a dentist or hygienist for a pre-whitening consultation to check your suitability for the whitening treatment. During the consultation your dentist or hygienist will examine you and may identify any treatment that needs to be done before going ahead with whitening treatment. Any treatment required is chargeable to you.
Take-home teeth whitening
For take-home whitening treatment we offer the Pola or Zoom Teeth Whitening* System. You will need to book a teeth whitening appointment with your Lumino practice first. Once you're in the chair, a dentist will fit you with a custom-made tray. Within days, your complete whitening kit will be ready to collect. Your kit contains two new custom-made trays (one for the top teeth and one for the bottom), syringes of whitening gel and easy-to-follow instructions.
Once home, you apply a small drop of gel inside each tooth impression in your two trays, place on your teeth, then relax over the next few hours – read, talk, watch TV, surf the internet – while the whitening gel does its job.
After your whitening session, remove and rinse your trays, and then brush your teeth. Repeat this over the next week or two until you achieve the level of whitening you desire. The snug fit of your custom-made tray and the dentist-quality whitening gel provides you with an amazing result.
Worried about getting teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is safe when it's done correctly. It’s important to visit your dentist for a consultation before getting any whitening treatment so they can check if your teeth are suitable for whitening treatment. We don’t recommend ordering teeth whitening kits online and doing it yourself as you don’t know if it's safe to use, or if your teeth are suitable.
How long does teeth whitening last?
The length of time that teeth whitening will last depends on many factors, including the lifestyle and habits that resulted in the stained teeth in the first place. Generally, it should be several years before the stains reappear to the level they were before treatment. Some whitening systems also have home touch-up kits available to top up the whiteness. This helps to enhance the whitening further and maintains your investment for longer.
