Teeth Whitening Options:

One of the most common things that I get in the office is, “I want to whiten my teeth”. Usually quickly followed by “I hope I’m not too vain!”. Everyone and I mean just about everyone wants whiter teeth. Imagine those pearly whites and how confident you would feel in photos and around your family and friends.
The real question however is, how do I get it? And more importantly, how much does it cost? The answer to that like most things has a couple of nuances so here are some tips and insights on how to make those teeth whiter and what costs are involved?

Hygiene Treatment:

To get whiter teeth the first question we need to know is why are they not white already, and more often than not it comes down to are they clean? One of the most effective, inexpensive and healthy ways to improve your tooth colour (not to mention gum and enamel health) is hygiene treatment. When we eat, drink, smoke, chew, etc. it can affect the type and the amount of bacterial build-up on the teeth which can also give teeth that are stained or less than white appearance.

Typical whitening treatments would then be limited to what they can do for teeth that are not covered with plaque or tartar. Also, if you have inflamed gums you will not get the right level of penetration of the whitening agent. That is why hygiene treatment is necessary to help improve the look of teeth as well as improve the results of potential whitening.

Simple Whitening Products:

As mentioned before, having whiter teeth is internationally recognised as the most demanded thing by patients, as having whiter teeth can make them appear healthier and more appealing. This is one of the driving factors as to why there are so many whitening products available in clinics, pharmacies, health shops and online stores.

From strips to pens to take home DIY trays it is important to know how these work (to some extent). The main difference between purchasing whitening treatment instead of receiving in-house treatment is due to the limitations of the concentration and the type of bleaching agents used. Usually, products prescribed by a dental office have better manufacturing qualities as well as a more potent whitening agent which directly affects the outcome. It also means you have less exposure making it easier to use.

Some of the common products we provide in our clinic here at Central Hutt Dental are:

• Whitening strips – simple stick-on strips that carry out a whitening agent for simple results or top-ups, a great entry to whiten your teeth. This is a great entryway to whiten your teeth.
• Opalescence Go DIY trays – whitening pre-formed trays with a whitening agent in them that you can use to whiten your teeth – 1 kit contains 10 upper and lower trays – effectively providing 10 whitening treatments you can do at home.
• Custom made whitening trays and whitening agent—- an option where you can carry out regular whitening at home but more of a long term or durable option is to have our clinical team make a customised whitening tray for you. these trays are custom made to fit your teeth only and allow you to use them for a long period of time, this is a great option that allows you to whiten your teeth long term with reduced cost. After the trays are made we include some whitening agents you can use and when these are finished you simply purchase more from us as a top-up syringe.
• In-Office Whitening— you achieve the most effective and desirable result. Our treatment involves applying a layer of high concentration whitening gel to your teeth. We activate the gel with a special LED light to begin the whitening process. In-practice whitening is an excellent choice for those who want immediate results. Once you’ve reached your desired shade, your provider will apply the post-treatment gel to help protect enamel and reduce sensitivity.

A brighter, whiter smile is no longer out of reach or expensive. Get in touch with us at Central Hutt Dental to find out what treatments will work best for you! To schedule an initial consultation, please contact us today!