Millennium Centre: 
Is teeth whitening safe? Everybody wants whiter teeth and the perks of a brighter smile. But as with most other dental procedures, teeth whitening has its benefits and risks. Teeth whitening can undoubtedly bring you closer to your smile goals, but we also have to recognise the side effects that you could experience from the treatment.
Read along to give yourself a good idea of what to expect from the treatment! And by the end of it, you can learn how safe and effective teeth whitening is, especially with Carindale Family Dentist.
Side effects of teeth whitening
Whether you opt for over-the-counter teeth whiteners such as whitening toothpaste, strips, gels, or dentist-prescribed whitening trays, there are risks associated with teeth whitening treatments. Teeth whitening products contain differing concentrations of bleaching chemicals that can be harmful when misused.
The most common side effects of teeth whitening are teeth sensitivity and gum irritation.
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Teeth Sensitivity
During treatment, the bleaching gel penetrates the tooth enamel and triggers pain sensors, creating sensitivity reactions. It’s a common scenario for aged teeth as the enamel has thinned, making them more prone to sensitivity. It’s always best to consult a dentist before teeth whitening treatments to keep sensitivity at bay.
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Gum Irritation
When the whitening gel comes into contact with the gums, irritation and discomfort are highly likely. To prevent this from happening, a protective gel is applied to the gums before professional teeth whitening to keep them safe and healthy.
Visit your trusted dentist for professional teeth whitening to minimise these side effects. While there are many readily available whitening products, nothing beats the peace of mind you get with the care of an experienced dentist.
Professional teeth whitening options
What are the teeth whitening treatments available? At our Carindale clinic, we offer two teeth whitening treatment options so patients can choose which best fits their needs and lifestyle. We have PolaDay In-Chair Whitening and PolaDay Custom Take-Home Bleaching Kits.
PolaDay In-Chair Whitening is carried out in our clinic and promises safe and efficient results that go above and beyond your expectations. Our dentist will place a protective gel and cover on your lips and gums, and then they will apply the bleaching gel to the tooth enamel. The gel comprises a whitening agent that dramatically lightens the tooth surface. In as little as 30 minutes, you can achieve whiter teeth and a more confident smile.
But if you want to do your teeth whitening at your home, you can opt for Pola take-home teeth whitening. This is a relatively simple teeth whitening treatment. We schedule you for a teeth impression appointment so our dentist can create your custom-fit bleaching trays. When they’re ready for use, you simply put the whitening gel in the trays and wear them over your teeth for 30 minutes every day until you reach your desired goals.
The bottom line: Is teeth whitening safe?
Given the potential side effects, you may feel a little wary about undergoing teeth whitening treatments. But don’t let those risks keep you from getting the beautiful smile you deserve! In the hands of an experienced and skilled dentist, teeth whitening is undoubtedly safe and is a quick and easy way to take the beauty of your smile up a notch.
At Carindale Family Dentist, we have invested in modern teeth whitening systems that incorporate essential ingredients to manage side effects for an overall pleasant experience. Such additions include:
- Fluoride-releasing formula to strengthen the teeth
- Potassium nitrate desensitisers that act on the pain sensors in your teeth to eliminate sensitivity
- High water content for gentle gum reaction and teeth hydration
- Natural soothers and conditioners to aid in tooth recovery after treatment and ensure long-lasting whitening effects
How to manage teeth whitening sensitivity before treatment?
If you are experiencing teeth sensitivity before your whitening appointment, speak to your dentist about sensitivity therapies. These include desensitising toothpaste and fluoride varnish that prepares and protects the teeth from the high concentrations of bleaching gel during the procedure.
What is the safest teeth whitening treatment?
With so many teeth whitening treatments available, the safest is the one prescribed and carried out by an experienced and skilled dentist.
By asking you to attend an initial consultation, they can tailor treatment to maximise the effects of the whitening procedure and lessen any complications during and after the procedure.
This is particularly the case with in-office teeth whitening, where your dentist performs the teeth whitening treatment from start to finish.
For safe and effective teeth whitening
You can experience a white, healthy-looking smile with professional teeth whitening while keeping risks and complications at bay. At Carindale Family Dentist, your teeth whitening journey is as safe as it is rewarding. Contact us today to learn more about our teeth whitening treatments.
MILLENNIUM Centre Shop (Carindale): (07) 3113 9138
METROPOL 2 Centre (Mt. Gravatt East): (07) 3130 0238
References
Tooth Whitening: What We Now Know
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
The Rise of Dentine Hypersensitivity and Tooth Wear in an Ageing Population
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28840892/
A Critical Review of Modern Concepts for Teeth Whitening
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6784469/
Pola Day / Pola Night
https://www.sdi.com.au/au/product/poladay-polanight/
PubMed – Comparing the efficacy in providing instant relief of dentin hypersensitivity of a new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride to a benchmark desensitising toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion and 1450 ppm fluoride, and to a control toothpaste with 1450 ppm fluoride: a three-day clinical study in Mississauga, Canada
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19831164/
Effect of different fluoride varnishes on remineralisation of artificial enamel carious lesions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27348852/
Austalian Dental Association – Queensland
https://www.adaq.org.au/