Most people dream of having a white, healthy smile which can easily be done with teeth whitening treatment.
However, there are many questions and myths surrounding teeth whitening, so we brought in Dr Valence Roberts, Principal Dentist at Melbourne's Award-winning Clinic, Cosmetic Avenue to look at the most popular myths and give you all the facts.
Myth 1: Home Treatments are Just as Effective
It is true that tooth whitening products you can buy in-store and online have come a long way in recent years. Many of them will help to remove some surface stains, making your teeth look a little whiter.
However, the levels of active ingredients in ‘off the shelf kits’ are notoriously low for safety reasons. Unless your home kits prescribed or administered by an experienced cosmetic dentist, it can’t achieve the same results.
Myth 2: Whitening is Bad for Your Teeth
This is a question I get asked time and time again, the truth is, teeth whitening can damage your teeth if used incorrectly or excessively, which is why you must follow the directions from your dentist who will always recommend a safe treatment approach. When done by a qualified practitioner it is very safe and has been proved not to damage the health of your teeth.
Myth 3: It Takes a Long Time to Whiten your Teeth
Tooth whitening can actually be extremely quick and simple. If you choose an option like Phillips Zoom Whitening, this procedure can be completed in just one hour in the dentist chair. You can sit and relax while the laser does all the work, all while being supervised by your qualified and experienced dentist. At the end of the hour, you will instantly see results, and you can also do more sessions, depending on how white you would like them to be.
Myth 4: Teeth Whitening hurts!
For some people, tooth whitening doesn’t hurt, but others can feel a sensation. This is why it’s important to only whiten within your sensitivity tolerance. If you have naturally very sensitive teeth, then we may recommend a professional take home kit instead.
Myth 5: All Teeth Can Be Whitened
It is true that most teeth can be whitened, however, if your teeth are severely damaged or dead, the results might not be as impressive as you would like. If this is the case, there are many other options available to you such as veneers which can be fitted to give you the whiter smile you have been dreaming of.
Myth 6: Smokers Can’t Whiten Their Teeth
Although smokers will get nicotine staining - whitening still works well, especially in combination with a regular dental clean
Myth 7: Tooth whitening doesn’t last long
Not true! Whitening removes all the stains from your teeth, which can last years, however, if your diet has a lot dark colours from red wine, teas, coffee, soy sauce etc, then they will add more stain to your teeth and your results won’t last as long.
Find Out More About Teeth Whitening
Now that these myths have been debunked, you can take the next step towards getting whiter teeth. For more information or to book an appointment, check out Cosmetic Avenue.
