General Dentistry
Everywhere you look you see wonderfully white smiles. Then you catch a glance of your own smile and, well, it’s not so white.
Here’s the truth. Teeth are porous. Despite the best oral hygiene habits, teeth can stain. Common culprits range from berries and beetroot to coffee and curry. There are also factors like ageing and smoking to consider.
If stained or yellow teeth have you feeling self-conscious about your smile, you’re probably wondering about teeth whitening cost and if treatment is worth it. The great news is that you’re in the right place.
Find out your teeth whitening options. Discover how the cost of in-chair treatment compares to using an at-home whitening kit. And clue up on how to keep your teeth whiter for longer.
Looking to achieve a brighter smile? No doubt your first question is ‘how much does it cost to whiten teeth?’. The cost will depend on which professional teeth whitening service you choose. At our dental clinic in Chelsea Heights we offer both in-chair teeth whitening and take-home treatment using either POLA or Philips Zoom.
Our professional teeth whitening cost starts from $650. This provides you with a premium in-chair teeth whitening treatment. Take-home teeth whitening treatment is available from $350. It includes a custom bleaching tray and whitening solution. There’s also the option of having a combination (in-chair plus take-home treatment) for $900.
The teeth whitening process involves bleaching the teeth to remove stains and reveal a smile you're proud to show off. The most common whitening gel is hydrogen peroxide. It penetrates the tooth enamel and breaks up the chemical bonds that cause stains and discolouration.
During in-chair teeth whitening your dentist will first apply dentist-grade whitening gel to the teeth. Next, the solution is activated using UV light (AKA laser whitening). In less than two hours you can walk away with a whiter, brighter smile.
If you choose at-home teeth whitening your dentist will first take a mould of your teeth. This is used to create custom whitening trays. Add your bleaching gel to the trays. Pop them in your mouth for 30-45 minutes a day and, voila, within 7-10 days you’ll reveal whiter teeth.
Both in-chair and professional take-home whitening treatments use high quality whitening gel. However, here’s a look at the benefits of each one.
Which teeth whitening process is right for you depends on personal preference (and cost, of course). In-chair teeth whitening takes up to two hours. If you’re looking for fast results this is the best option.
Want a more effective option compared to store-bought whitening treatments? If you’re disciplined enough to use it 30-45 minutes a day for up to two weeks, an at-home whitening kit can be a great option.
The duration of professional teeth whitening depends on which treatment you choose. In -chair whitening uses the highest strength whitening solution. This makes it the longest-lasting and most effective teeth-whitening treatment method. Typically, results can last from several months to a couple of years.
If you choose an at-home teeth whitening kit, you can generally expect your results to last for about four to six months with touch-ups as needed.
Professional teeth whitening isn’t permanent. Your lifestyle choices and oral hygiene habits can influence how long the results last. Here are a few tips to keep your smile whiter and brighter for longer.
The biggest culprits are tea, coffee, red wine, dark sauces (like soy and tomato), and foods containing brightly-coloured spices (we’re looking at you curry!).
Acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to stains and reducing whitening results.
Drinking through a straw stops stain-causing drinks from touching your teeth. While it won’t prevent or reduce existing staining, it can prolong the duration of your teeth whitening treatment.
You’re right, flossing won’t whiten your teeth, but it can help prevent plaque build-up which can cause yellowing teeth.
It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day for good oral health. Remember though, if you’re using at-home whitening it’s good to wait 30 minutes after brushing before applying the gel. What’s more, brushing your teeth too soon after whitening can reduce the effects of the procedure.
Not only does smoking cause teeth to discolour (becoming yellowy), it can also reduce the longevity of your whitening treatment.
Regular touch-up treatments can help keep your pearly whites brighter for longer. How long you can leave it in between touch ups will depend on the type of whitening treatment used, lifestyle, diet and oral hygiene habits.
Just because your smile looks beautiful and bright, it doesn’t mean you can skip your normal dental check-up. Regular dental visits will keep your oral health in tip-top shape. Plus, you can discuss the need for touch-up treatments to keep your smile bright.
If cost has been holding you back from a brighter, whiter smile, why not take advantage of our flexible finance options. Simply pay for your teeth whitening treatment in easy, affordable instalments.
Ready to regain your smile confidence with teeth whitening? Book your appointment online now.
