Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening performed under the supervision of a dental professional is both safe and effective.  

Correctly diagnosing the reason behind tooth discolouration is important for both the safety and success of the process.

Attempting to whiten tooth structure affected by exposure to medication, certain filling materials (amalgam) or trauma may produce disappointing results.  Whilst whitening tooth structure affected by decay, tooth wear or defective restorations may result in extreme discomfort.

Strong Hydrogen or Carbamide peroxide is used during the whitening process.  Soft tissue (gums, lips, tongue) exposed to peroxide during treatment may result in chemical burns if not appropriately protected.

Some medications or medical conditions may mean that tooth whitening is not suitable for an individual.  

Your dental professional is best positioned to provide advice on whether tooth whitening will provide your desired result.  They will be able to review your medical history and make sure whitening is safe for you to complete.  They can identify dental issues such as tooth decay or tooth wear which may cause increased sensitivity during or after the whitening process.  They will be able to recommend the best type of tooth whitening to suit your individual needs.  

Dental professionals are required to undertake specific training in tooth whitening to make sure they are competent in completing the process safely.

Always complete tooth whitening under the supervision of a dental professional.  

Tooth whitening will produce varying results depending on the pre existing colour of your teeth. 

People with darkly stained, yellow or brown teeth frequently achieve better results than people with grey teeth. 

Teeth with multiple restorations, colourations, bands, splotches or spots due to fluorosis, tetracycline antibiotics or naturally light-coloured teeth do not whiten as well, may need several treatments or may not whiten at all. 

Your Medland Dentist, Dental Hygienist or Oral Health Therapist will be able to diagnose the reason behind your tooth discolouration.  They can direct you towards the best method of tooth whitening to suit your individual needs and provide realistic predictions of your likely result.

Unfortunately, crowns and white fillings will not lighten during the whitening process.

If desired, these can be replaced with a lighter shade to match your new, whiter smile once you have completed your tooth whitening treatment.

There are a variety of factors that could lead to both internal and external tooth discolouration.

While many of these factors are preventable, discolouration is also a process that will naturally occur as you get older.

• Smoking – Smoking can lead to many health and dental problems, Smoking or even chewing tobacco will stain your teeth.
• Enamel thickness – The thickness or appearance of enamel can be affected by genetic or developmental conditions. It can also be washed away by acid erosion or worn away by grinding and clenching. The thinner the enamel, the darker your teeth will appear.
• Hygiene – Regular brushing and flossing is required to prevent stains or unsightly plaque and calculus (tartar) build-up.
• Food and drink – Your diet can have a huge effect on the colour of your teeth. Tea, coffee and wine can all stain your teeth, while eating particular fruits can also lead to discolouration.
• Illness – If you were prescribed certain antibiotics or medications as a child or had an ongoing illness as a child, this may have caused tooth discolouration.
• Age – Discolouration is a process that will naturally occur when you get older as the dentine layer of your teeth gets thicker.

Tooth discolouration caused by smoking, dental hygiene and food and drink can be improved by a professional scale and clean with your Medland Hygienist or Oral Health Therapist. Tooth discolouration that has occurred with age can be improved with teeth whitening. Discolouration caused by enamel thickness and illness often requires a tailored and individual approach to either lighten or mask the discolouration.

Some forms of staining are unpreventable; however there are simple steps that can be taken to limit discolouration.

If you are a smoker you are not only doing damage to your teeth but damage to your overall health and well-being. This should be all the motivation you need to start cutting back or quit; this will help limit tooth discolouration.

Drinking large volumes of coffee, tea and wine can also affect your teeth’s appearance. Cutting back on all of these will help you protect the colour of your teeth, ensuring they stay whiter for longer. If you are unable to cut back or quit any of these then regular brushing, flossing and professional cleaning with your Medland Hygienist or Oral Health Therapist will help prevent major staining and plaque build-up.

Brushing and flossing daily is essential to achieving a high level of dental hygiene and is a vital process in maintaining white, healthy teeth.

There are two potential side effects you need to be aware of before completing tooth whitening.

The most common side effect of Zoom teeth whitening is sensitivity.  This will typically last for around 24 – 48 hours after your procedure.

In most cases this can be easily managed by taking pain relief prior to your procedure and as directed for 24 hours after.

Gum irritation is another possible side effect, although this is very uncommon.

In cases where this has occurred it is usually a slight discomfort for around 24-48 hours after the procedure and can be soothed with application of vitamin E cream or oil directly to the irritated tissue.

Results of your teeth whitening procedure will last for a number of years if you follow the professional care advice discussed with you after your tooth whitening treatment.

If you are a regular smoker or drink a lot of tea, coffee, wine or soft drinks then the results will not last as long.

If you have been issued with a home whitening maintenance kit, failure to use this as instructed could result in your results relapsing.

It is recommended that you continue to visit your Medland Hygienist or Oral Health Therapist regularly for a professional scale and clean.  Regular professional maintenance helps maintain white teeth for longer by removing discolouration that builds up on the enamel of your teeth.

Our Zoom WhiteSpeed™ or take-home whitening treatments, are safe and effective and will provide you with white, bright results you can enjoy for many years.

Our welcoming and stylish dental practice is located at 66 Lambton St, Annerley, Brisbane QLD, Australia.

Providing a central and accessible location catering to patients Brisbane wide.

Our staff are passionate about ensuring every patient leaves the clinic with a smile. With full confidence they are receiving the best dental care in Brisbane.

We invite you to experience the Medland difference.