There’s nothing like a nice, bright smile to make you look instantly younger and fresher.
With a range of different products and options for whitening and brightening your teeth, it can be hard to know what’ll give you the best results. So, today, we're providing an overview of tooth-whitening products and options for guiding you toward a brighter, beautiful smile.
What Is Purple Tooth Toner?
You’ve probably seen ads on TikTok for purple tooth toner. It looks great, but will it work?
These over-the-counter brightening products are trending, but their effect is limited and temporary and could potentially even harm teeth.
Some of these purple toners are designed to replace your regular toothpaste. Still, as they don’t contain fluoride to help protect you from cavities, you’re risking your dental health by using them regularly.
Like purple shampoos, particles in purple tooth toners counteract the yellow tones in your teeth, so they look a touch whiter—for a little while. Using one occasionally won’t cause any problems, but it won't provide lasting results. It's best not to expect too much, and watch out for staining on your bathroom basin and towels.
Can Yellow Teeth Become White Again?
All teeth can be lightened, but let’s look at this question in more detail.
Just like your skin and hair colour, the natural shade of teeth varies from person to person. So, the results of whitening also vary.
Boutique Whitening, a professional whitening brand developed by dentists, explains it this way:
‘Teeth whitening is more effective on teeth that are on the yellow and white spectrum. Teeth that are shades of brown and grey are more difficult to whiten and may require a longer treatment, or stronger whitening agents’.
‘With all types of teeth whitening products, the results will vary from patient to patient and depend largely on the original colour of the teeth, the condition of the teeth, the type of staining present and compliance with the teeth whitening regime.’
In conclusion, you can lighten your teeth no matter what shade you’re starting from, but some people will see results quickly, while others will need a stronger solution, more time, and possibly other treatments to achieve their ideal outcome.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Your teeth may appear darker due to their natural base shade and staining. As you age, your teeth will naturally darken and become more stained. Your lifestyle and diet also impact the appearance and health of your teeth. We must treat each type of staining differently to achieve the whiter smile you want.
Keep in mind that discolouration can be caused by:
- Extrinsic staining — This staining occurs on the surface of the enamel, such as nicotine staining.
- Intrinsic staining — This staining goes deeper and is more challenging to shift. It could be due to medications, excessive fluoride consumption or genetic factors.
- Decay or trauma — In this case, teeth need treatment before whitening.
What’s the Best Tooth-Whitening Product?
Professional teeth whitening in McCrae, VIC, will always give the best and safest result.
The products you can buy at the chemist or over the internet tend to be very abrasive (to scrub off staining) and contain a weak, ineffective concentration of peroxide (whitening agent). Unfortunately, you typically won’t get a great result because the formulas aren’t strong enough.
Only registered dental practitioners in Australia can use the most effective, high-concentration whitening products (containing more than six per cent hydrogen peroxide). We must handle these products carefully to avoid burns and pain from mistreatment.
Your treatment options for whitening with your McCrae dentist include:
- In-chair whitening — Your dentist will apply the bleaching agent in the clinic, and your teeth will lighten by up to two shades in a 75-minute appointment.
- Take-home whitening kits — Custom-fitted bleaching trays are made for you to take home and wear with the whitening gel until you reach your desired shade. The duration of treatment varies but is generally around two weeks.
Right now, you can get an in-chair treatment at Bays Dental Clinic for $850 (this includes a take-home kit) or a single take-home kit for $450.
I Can’t Afford Professional Tooth Whitening. What Can I Do to Improve My Discoloured Teeth?
- Be gentle when brushing your teeth. — Scrubbing them will only damage your enamel and potentially expose more of the yellower underlayer (dentine). Improving your brushing technique and cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes such as Piksters will keep your smile healthy.
- Be aware that darker foods and drinks tend to stain teeth. — Try to limit them and rinse your mouth with water or brush after consuming them.
- Have regular professional teeth cleans. — This will remove hardened plaque (calculus), which can contribute to a yellowing appearance.
Five Reasons You Should See Your Dentist in McCrae Before Whitening
1. That stain or mark bothering you could be tooth decay. It is essential to ensure your mouth is healthy and fix any problems before bleaching.
2. You may need to change restorations (fillings) to match your new bright teeth. Your dentist can check which ones need replacement and provide a quote.
3. To decide on your best and most effective treatment. Your dentist can advise you on the best techniques/products to achieve a good result. Don’t waste money on things that don’t work.
4. Get a professional shade match before and after whitening to measure the change more clearly.
5. Whiten your teeth—not your calculus (tartar)! Get a professional clean before treatment to start with a clean slate and keep your mouth healthy.
We Invite Your Call
Now you have an overview of professional teeth whitening in McCrae. If you want to learn more, our friendly dentists at Bays Dental Clinic will be happy to discuss whitening treatments with you at your initial check and clean or your next six-month recall visit.
Get a complimentary whitening consultation, complete examination, and clean at the same time, and we can get your smile looking its best!