Teeth Whitening

What causes my teeth to discolour?

There are many causes of tooth discolouration. Some of the most common include the consumption of highly coloured foods (berries) and drinks (coffee, tea, red wine). Antibiotics at a young age, ageing, smoking and trauma can also results in dicolouration.

How does tooth whitening work?

Whitening works by lightening the middle layer, also known as dentine, of our teeth. The hard outer coating of our teeth has small pores in it similar to our nose and the various peroxide bleaching gels (usually carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) release oxygen into the tooth structure, open these pores and draws the staining out from the layer underneath.

The POLA Tooth Whitening System

Century Crossing Dental Centre uses the POLA Advanced Tooth Whitening System, which offers a variety of In-Office and Take-Home kits. Our in-office procedure is the fastest in the market, with treatments lasting less than 30 minutes. The take-home kits include custom whitening trays and can be used during the day or even while you sleep overnight!

Is the treatment safe?

Yes. Clinical studies have shown that bleaching with carbamide or hydrogen perocide under the supervision of a dental professional is safe for teeth and gums.

How long will my teeth stay white?

Red wine, tea and coffee, and darker coloured foods (eg berries) are all examples of things which will affect your whitened smile. Smoking and age are also large contributing factors. We usually advise our patients that the result will last for 1 – 2 years, however we recommended that you touch up your smile every 6 – 12 months to prolong your white smile.

It’s important, however, to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. There are some stains such as tetracycline and fluorosis, that are difficult to bleach, so other options, such as veneers or crowns may be more suitable for your situation.

Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important that we consider replacing your old fillings, crowns, etc. After the bleaching is done, the dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Why does the tooth whitening result vary for different people?

If your teeth can absorb the oxygen well, the dark-coloured long-chain stain molecules are broken into short molecules. Teeth vary in how well they absorb the oxygen, which causes teeth whitening results to vary person-to-person. Stronger gels produce more oxygen which is why many people experience a different result with dental whitening as opposed to whitening solutions purchased ‘over-the-counter’.

Tooth stains that are caused by food and drink are organic and usually respond well to the whitening action of oxygen.

Stains that have been caused by too much fluoride or some of the antibiotics are inorganic and do not respond well to the oxygen. When you discuss tooth whitening with our dental staff they will give you a better idea of the potential results and also discuss your individual situation with you.