Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth

‘Shine bright like a diamond’ isn’t just another meaningless pop song. Rhianna was actually onto something…

Believe it or not, a recent study shows the colour and shape of our teeth can impact how attractive we are to others. So it’s not surprising how much our smile influences our confidence.

When someone flashes you a big fat grin with their pearly whites on display, self-assuredness radiates to give fuzzy feelings all round. And who wouldn’t want to be that positive energy?!

We think this confidence is exactly why so many people reach for whitening kits, whitening toothpaste or head to the dentist. But what is the SAFEST and the BEST way to whiten your teeth? Here’s what you need to know to help you shine bright like a diamond, just like Rhi Rhi.

What is teeth whitening?

Most people who boast gleaming pearly whites choose to undergo teeth whitening. This has fast become the most popular option out there because it’s safe, effective and an easy way to achieve great results. When carried out correctly by a professional, it causes no damage to the teeth and leaves you up to 8 shades whiter so you can sparkle baby, sparkle!

But a word to the wise, beware of online and off-the-shelf products! (More on this later.)

Reasons why people get teeth whitening

People often get their teeth whitened to improve their smile, self-esteem and confidence. A coffee tinted tooth just doesn’t have the same impact as a set of wonderwhite chompers, are we right? When your smile is your first impression, you can make a real impact with a brighter grin.

But the big question is, what discolours teeth in the first place?

The main causes of discolouration to tooth enamel are stains from highly coloured foods, drinks (particularly coffee and red wine), smoking, disease and poor dental hygiene. Over time, particles or decay start to build-up on the tooth which in turn wears down the proteins that cover the tooth enamel, allowing the stain to embed itself into the tooth surface.

Different types of safe teeth whitening

With so many different types of teeth whitening options on the market it’s important to do your research and find out which ones are actually safe. After all, you don’t want to get white teeth only to damage them along the way. That only leaves you with bigger problems than when you started.

In short, there are two types of safe (dentist approved) teeth whitening treatments available:

Take-home whitening
Yay! It’s always easier when you can do it at home in your own time! Well take-home whitening lets you do just that. This application kit is highly personalised, using dental grade whitening products. Something not offered by over-the-counter take home kits. When you choose take-home whitening, your dentist will custom-fit whitening trays which perfectly align with your teeth and gum line. You will also be provided with a strong whitening gel to line the trays and a treatment plan, specific to your needs. This means, dental quality whitening, safe application and no overdoing it. You may also be eligible for a partial rebate from your private health fund.

Overall, take-home whitening is just as effective as in-chair whitening, it just takes a little longer to see the results. This is because the process is done at home, without dental supervision and your dentist can only provide a whitening gel that’s safe to be self-administered. But you know what they say, good things come to those who wait.

Now let’s talk about those other types of at-home whitening products we see on our social feeds (like whitening kits and toothpastes). Put simply, they may not be as safe, nor as effective as dentist administered kits. This is due to their ‘one size fits all’ approach. Take whitening kits for example. The trays you receive are all standard size, which can lead to an overflow of whitening gel. And that has the potential to damage the soft tissue of your gum. This is why you should always ask your dentist for what is best suited for your needs.
In-chair whitening
Whiter, brighter and faster! To get your smile to really shine like a diamond (and fast!), in-chair whitening gives you the best possible results. In fact, you can get up 8 shades whiter in one sitting. This is because in-chair whitening uses dental grade whitening gel that is amplified by LED light. Because it is performed in the dentist’s office under constant supervision it’s possible to ‘ramp up’ the strength of the products being used. Which means you get whiter, faster!

All you have to do is sit back in the chair while your dentist preps your mouth, applies the gel and administers the LED light. You’ll then be given some after care instructions that will ensure the upkeep of your sparkly smile. Under the constant supervision of a dental professional, you can lie back with the knowledge you are in the best possible hands. This method also offers health fund rebates!

Why we love in-chair teeth whitening

After optic radiance fast?! Well you just can’t go past in-chair whitening. Compared to other methods, in-chair teeth whitening is the safest and fastest way to get outstanding results. All you have to do is choose your desired shade of white, turn up for your treatment and, BAM! The results are almost instant! This is because Claremont Dental uses Zoom Whitening, a treatment consisting of a stronger strength gel combined with a product activating LED light. This dental grade process can only be used by dental professionals and will deliver the best results, almost immediately.

Why we love it?

It’s efficient
It saves you time
It won’t waste valuable energy
It really works.

At Claremont Dental, we want your experience to be as comfortable as possible. This is why we offer you pillows to keep you comfortable and Netflix to keep your mind active, all while our team brightens your smile. And the special treatment doesn’t stop there… We will send you off with professional customised after-care products, advice and guides, to keep those chompers immaculate.

So let’s take a quick peek at the main benefits of in-chair Zoom teeth whitening:

It delivers instant results, up to 8 shades whiter
The results are long-lasting
There is no pain associated
It is the safest method
Quick and easy with minimal effort required on your part
Health care rebates are available
Great value for money.

Now let’s see how in-chair Zoom teeth whitening compares to the other methods.

Benefits	In-chair Zoom	Take-home (from the Dentist)	At-home (toothpaste)
White teeth	Yes	Yes	Depends
Long-lasting	Yes	Yes	No
Safe	Yes	Yes	Sometimes
Result speed	Instant	Days to weeks	3-6 months
Method time	Once, 60 minutes	3-4 times, 20 minutes each	2-3 minutes
Frequency	Once, every year	3-4 times, ~ every 4 months	Daily
Cost for treatment	$845*	$445*	$10 – $200*
Health care rebates	Available	Partial available	No

*Depends on individual Dentist prices and product prices.

The in-chair teeth whitening process

Now that you know why in-chair Zoom teeth whitening is the best method, let’s zoom quickly over the process:

The strongest whitening solution is used so safety measures will first be taken to ensure your gums are protected.
Zoom gel is placed on the teeth
The LED light is activated to accelerate the whitening process
You will receive 4 x 15-minute sessions in one sitting
Before you know it, you’re done!

Post-treatment care

Your teeth are shining. Check out that brand new smile of yours! To look after it, you will receive a post-treatment mould for ‘desensitisation solution’ that looks after your gums while maintaining their pearly white shade. Along with this mould, your dentist will provide you with guidance for after-care. It’s important that you try to follow the directions closely after your treatment, to ensure that you receive the full benefits.

But don’t worry, it isn’t too hard and won’t be forever! There are certain consumables that you will need to avoid for a little bit though; such as coffee, wine, berries and tomato sauces. After whitening, your teeth are more porous than usual, so you have to be careful with what you allow in your mouth post Zoom treatment. And of course, you’ll also need to adhere to good dental hygiene to keep your teeth shining bright!

How much does in-chair teeth whitening cost?

Here’s the best part! You don’t need to fork out thousands of dollars to improve your smile!

There are only a few dentists in Perth who offer Zoom teeth whitening… But at Claremont Dental, you can get the 4 sessions + aftercare package for only $845!

Start practising your smile in the mirror, ‘cos your pearly whites are only a click away! Book your first teeth whitening session online today.