A set of bright white teeth help to boost the self-confidence of a person. These days there are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products. These include; strips, gels, trays, and rinses. However, if you are not sure of which teeth whitening product is right for you, it is always better to see your dentist. 

At Kariong Dental Care on the Central Coast we advise people on whether they should use these products or not. Ideally, there are circumstances where teeth whitening procedures would be less likely to succeed and are really not recommended. Some of these situations include;

#1: Dark Stained Teeth: It must be said that if your teeth has a yellowish stain, then bleaching it would work like a charm. However, if your teeth has a brown, grey, or purplish stain, it is NOT advisable for you to use teeth whitening agents. In this scenario, it would be best for you to explore other dental restoration procedures, such as; bonds, dental veneers, or Crowns.

#2: Too many Dental Restorations: You should know that resin composite materials which were used in dental restoration procedures, such as; fillings, crowns, bonds bridges, and veneers; will NOT whiten when you use teeth whitening agents. If you use teeth whiteners, your natural teeth would appear whiter than those restored teeth. So before you start using teeth whiteners, make sure to get the best advise from your dentist.

#3: Teeth Whitening for Children is a No, No!: It is advisable NOT to use teeth whitening products on children that are less than 16 years of age. You should know that the nerve of the tooth or pulp chamber of infants, young children, and teenagers is quite enlarged before they turn 16. If teeth whitening products are used on children before they are 16 years of age, the nerve of the tooth or pulp would be irritated and highly sensitive. It is also NOT advisable for pregnant and lactating women to use teeth whiteners. 

#4: Poor Oral Hygiene: If you suffer from cavities, gum disease, exposed roots, or worn enamel; you really should NOT use teeth whiteners. Using such products on cavities can lead to extreme tooth sensitivity as the teeth whitening agent penetrates deep into the tooth. Before using teeth whiteners, make sure you resolve all your underlying oral health issues.

#5: Allergies: It is always proper to seek the advice of your dentist before you try your hands out on any over-the-counter teeth whitening product. The main agent for many of these products is peroxide and if you are allergic to this agent, it could be a cause for concern when used.

Get your teeth Whitened by a Dentist

There is a big difference between DIY teeth whitening procedures done at home and those handled by a professionally train and qualified dentist. 

The first thing you should know is that over-the-counter teeth whitening products have less strength than those used by dentists.

Typically, over-the-counter teeth whiteners contain about 3% hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, the in-office bleaching solutions used by dentists have a hydrogen peroxide content of between 15% and 43%.

This highly concentrated product is applied by the dentist onto your teeth. They do this using either heat, specialised light, or even laser. The procedure normally takes between half an hour to one full hour. 

While a single session is more than likely to provide most patients with significant results, there are those patients that would need to make some more appointments to the dentist before the bleaching results are near perfect.

Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?

Quite frankly, No! Teeth whitening is NOT a permanent procedure and the reason(s) is/are the same reason(s) that made the patient seek dental help in the first place.

Regularly consuming beverages and foods that stain teeth would lead to a dullness of an already whitened teeth and this can be within just 30 days after an in-office teeth whitening procedure.

If you are conscious of what you consume and you try as much as possible to avoid those beverages and foods that stain your teeth, it may take as long as a year or so before you would require a teeth whitening touch-up.

Dental veneers go by different names. Some call them “dental porcelain laminates” while others referred to them as “porcelain veneers”. 

Typically, dental veneers are thinly made shells made from resin composite or porcelain material and used to cover up the front tooth or teeth of a patient. 

Since it is made from porcelain, it can be painted white to basically match your other teeth and greatly enhance your overall appearance.

After the porcelain shells are made and coloured, they are fitted to the front side of your teeth with the use of a non-toxic adhesive. With dental veneers the length, size, shape and colour of your entire dentition is improved, boosting your confidence and self-esteem in the process.

Dentist Gosford At Kariong Dental Care we work hard to improve your look by fitting high quality customised dental veneers for people in Gosford and environs.

Why are Dental Veneers Needed?

There are many reasons why you may need dental veneers. However, the most common reasons include;

• When your teeth are discoloured. This may be due to the use of drugs such as tetracycline. It could also be as a result of excess fluoride.

• Dental veneers could be needed when your teeth have been worn down.

• If you have damaged or chipped tooth/teeth, dental veneers is an option you could go for.

• Where you have poorly shaped, uneven, and misaligned teeth; dental veneers can help to improve your look.

• If you have large gaps or openings between your teeth, dental veneers will help to fill out those gaps.

How to get Dental Veneers

If you have decided to get dental veneers, it usually means that you would have to visit a qualified dentist like those at Kariong Dental Care at least three times.

You would first have to come in for consultation, then your next visit would be to create the customized veneers and the third visit would be when the veneers are applied.

This three prong approach ensures that you are properly diagnosed and advised on the best dental restorative options for you. 

During your first visit, your teeth are examined by a dentist or team of dentists. You are briefed on your current oral health and advised on the best options. If needed, x-rays may be done and you may be required to have impressions of your teeth done as well.

In preparing your tooth or teeth for routine dental veneer treatment, the surface of your tooth/teeth would have to be reshaped by a dentist. The idea is to have the surface of the tooth or teeth appear natural and not protrude out when the veneers are eventually fitted. Local anaesthetic is usually applied before your tooth enamel is trimmed.

Once an impression of your tooth or teeth is obtained, it is used in constructing the dental veneers. Construction of the dental veneers may take a couple of weeks. If your teeth are really bad and pretty much unsightly, you may be fitted with tentative dental veneers.

Your third visit to the dentist is when the veneers will be bonded to cover up the front side of your teeth. The veneers may be trimmed if need be to ensure that it fits perfectly and naturally. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits are advised even after the veneer procedure is concluded. 

Benefits of Dental Veneers

The most obvious benefit is an enhanced, natural appearance. However, it must be mentioned that porcelain based veneers have very good resistance to stains. Also, porcelain veneers rarely irritate gum tissue. 

Dental veneers offer a less costly, affordable, and conservative routine dental treatment option for anyone wishing to reshape and recolour their teeth.