How does teeth whitening work (and is it safe)?
There are so many different professional teeth whitening products out there, but they all use the same basic ingredients; peroxides. Peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, contain very volatile oxygen molecules. When these oxygen molecules touch surface stains on your teeth, they react by breaking apart the chemical bonds that hold the stains onto your enamel. This “bleaches” them away and restores the appearance of your smile.
Almost all professional teeth whitening products uses hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active whitening ingredient. However, other ingredients are often used alongside peroxides, such as fluoride. Adding fluoride to a teeth whitener helps prevent the weakening of your teeth during the process, and also minimizes the risk of tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening.
Most ADA-approved teeth whitening kits or pens found in supermarkets or chemists have a relatively low level of peroxide, as this ensures that you will not over-whiten your teeth and damage them. This is a good thing, of course, but it means you may spend a lot of time whitening your teeth, and your results still may not be as good when compared to a professional whitening treatment.
Be aware, some whitening kits sold online contain very high levels of peroxide, which could put your oral health at risk. High levels of peroxide whitener mean that you’re more likely to accidentally damage your teeth by over-whitening them. This can lead to the weakening of your enamel, or even white spots on your enamel or much worse.
Professional Teeth Whitening at the Dentist
If you want to get the best results, professional teeth whitening at Kew Dental is an ideal choice. We offer professional take-home whitening kits. For this treatment, you’ll come to our practice at 99 Cotham Road in Kew to have a custom-fitted set of reusable, whitening trays designed to safely whiten your teeth in the best way possible.
Dr. Michael McIntyre will provide you with a set of whitening gels that are custom-tailored to your level of staining and desired level of whiteness. You’ll use them as directed with your whitening trays, in the comfort of your own home. After a couple of weeks, your smile will look brighter and allow you to smile with confidence. Read more about Kew Dental’s at-home custom-made whitening kits here.
Still have questions about teeth whitening? Please feel free to call us on (03) 9817 3685, our experienced team at Kew Dental would be glad to help.