If you want to improve the appearance of your natural teeth, the team at Suncoast Dental in Maroochydore would be glad to help! Our qualified dentists and hygienists can assess the condition of your teeth and recommend the ideal treatment for you. Just as the name suggests, the purpose of teeth whitening treatments is to have your teeth appear whiter, brighter and cleaner. Many patients want to achieve that pearly white finish, and we’re here to provide you with the professional help you need. Afterall, we believe a smile should last forever, so we’ll do everything in our power to ensure you leave our clinic feeling confident with your teeth!
When you visit our Maroochydore clinic, our team can supply you with teeth whitening treatments from either Pola Day or Opalescence Go. Only available through qualified dentists, Pola Day and Opalescence Go are take-home whitening gels supplied with a dental tray that is fitted to sit comfortably in your mouth. If you’re interested to learn more, book in a consultation with our team today!
Tooth discolouration or staining is a highly common condition that affects most adults. There are two main types of tooth discolouration, which are extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic discolouration is when the staining occurs only on the surface of the tooth. This is mainly caused by your individual eating and drinking habits, as consuming dark coloured foods can leave a stain that becomes more visible over time. From wine to coffee, dark berries and smoking, extrinsic discolouration can usually be fixed through professional whitening treatments.
On the other hand, intrinsic discolouration is a result of tooth decay, injury, medication or even genetics. They are often harder to fix through whitening treatments as the discolouration is not exclusive to the outer layer of the tooth. For older patients, it’s also normal for the enamel on your teeth to wear away, which can make your teeth appear yellow as it becomes more susceptible to discolouration.
Only available through qualified dentists, the Pola Day teeth whitening treatment is available in various strengths to suit the needs of different patients. Using a neutral pH tooth whitening formula, Pola Day contains fluoride to remineralise your teeth and protect against tooth sensitivity. Depending on the shade you want to achieve, budget and your current oral condition, your dentist will recommend a hydrogen peroxide level of either 3%, 6%, 7.5% or 9.5%. To ensure maximum benefit, we recommend that you apply the formula for at least 30 minutes a day.
Your dentist can help you determine whether teeth whitening is a good option for you. If you smoke or use tobacco, have sensitive teeth, or your teeth are badly stained or discoloured, you may require more tailored treatment plan.
The results of professional teeth whitening will depend on the colour of your teeth and particular lifestyle choices. Your teeth can be discoloured by smoking, drinking coffee, tea or red wine, or eating foods with strong colour. Avoiding or limiting these foods or drinks can ensure you maintain the great results of your professional teeth whitening for as long as possible.
When following professional advice and instruction of your dentist, you can avoid side effects from the Pola Day treatment. Some patients may experience sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks, but this typically fades soon after treatment stops and won’t result in any lingering issues. These side-effects can be minimised by shortening or spacing out the times you use the gel, applying a desensitiser to your teeth, or avoiding fizzy drinks and citrus.
Your teeth won’t whiten past their natural colouration. If your teeth are not changing any further, or you’ve reached your desired whiteness, it’s recommended you discontinue the Pola Day treatment. Your dentist can give great advice or recommendations on how long to continue treatment. If you use whitening products longer than instructed or recommended, your tooth structure can suffer.
Many professional teeth whitening kits include a light as part of the whitening process, but these lights aren’t necessary for quality results. Research shows that hydrogen peroxide, which is the whitening agent used in Opalescence Go treatments, effectively whitens teeth without any need for light.
B.D.Sc
B.D.Sc. (Hons)
B.D.Sc. (Hons)