At Loock Dental, we love to help get your teeth healthy and looking fabulous. Few cosmetic treatments are so inexpensive and simple, while making such a difference to your appearance, as tooth whitening. Get your teeth whitened safely and effectively at our rooms by one of the Loock dentists, or book an appointment to get a custom DIY kit that you can use at home.
Make sure your friends need their sunglasses on to check out your dazzling smile this summer!
Why is tooth whitening necessary if I keep my teeth clean?
Tooth enamel naturally stains over time from smoking, drinking red wine, tea and coffee. Many foods, including those with naturally occurring dyes, such as in beetroot, or spicy food, also leave their mark. This staining of the enamel cannot be simply removed by your regular brushing routine.
To learn more about how diet affects your teeth, see our previous post.
How do you make sure a professional tooth whitening lasts a long time?
Taking care of your freshly whitened teeth by watching your diet is important, and how long the treatment lasts varies based on post- treatment care.
To make the most of your treatment, ensure you book a visit to an oral hygienist or dentist at least once a year for a thorough cleaning, and ensure good oral hygiene.
At what age is it safe to start tooth whitening treatments?
Tooth whitening treatments can be used once all permanent teeth have emerged (but preferably from the age of 18). For more information on oral hygiene essentials for children, take a look at our post on this topic.
How long does a tooth whitening treatment take and what does it involve?
The in-house bleaching treatment at Loock Dental requires an appointment for 1 hour, after which you can expect a significantly whiter smile right away.
After the tooth whitening treatment is completed in the chair, the patient receives a kit to take home and instructions on how to use it for for the next 5-10 days.
If you wish to take a professional Opalescence DIY kit home, the treatment (which can only be obtained from a licensed dentist) still requires two appointments, though these are much shorter. At the first appointment of 15 minutes, the dentist will do an impression of the teeth so that they can make custom bleaching trays to match your mouth.
At the second appointment, which lasts half an hour, you would be given the kit, consisting of the custom-made trays and a special bleach gel in a syringe. Your dentist will then give you instructions on how to use the product correctly.
What are the main differences between an in-house tooth whitening treatment and a DIY kit for home use?
The in-house treatment at Loock Dental is a bit stronger, with around 35 – 45% bleach, which is administered by the dentist. This provides an immediate improvement after an hour-long appointment.
DIY kits contain 10-15% bleach, and require you to wear the tray for 15-60 minutes per day at home for the duration of the treatment. Either way, the improvement will be significant.
Both treatments are safe, effective and non-invasive, and the treatment is customised to your teeth rather than using a potentially ill-fitting one-size-fits-all tray.
Does bleaching affect any crowns or fillings in your teeth?
Tooth whitening treatments do not affect crowns or fillings you already have, so this would be discussed at your first appointment at Loock Dental.
Does anything affect the successful outcome of the tooth whitening process?
The final result of a tooth whitening treatment will depend on the porousness of your teeth, as well as the shade your teeth were before whitening.
Whichever option you choose, a tooth whitening treatment from Loock Dental should successfully improve your appearance and leave you smiling with confidence!
