How to Have a Brighter, Healthy Smile

It’s a great feeling to have a smile you’re happy with. A bright, healthy smile can give you the confidence and self-esteem needed to be your best and to be well.

So much of our everyday lives involve using our mouth – eating, talking, smiling or laughing. Your smile is an essential part of who you are.

First Steps to Whiter Teeth

Tooth whitening is a simple, safe and cost-effective cosmetic dental approach to improving your smile, giving the teeth a clean, white and youthful appearance. Tooth whitening is a non-invasive and low-risk process.

Whitening is a suitable option for most patients. We do recommend you first ensure any significant dental issues (e.g., periodontal disease, decay) are treated before proceeding. It is important to speak to your dentist or hygienist before conducting any type of whitening.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Yes, research shows teeth whitening is quite safe when supervised by a dentist or an oral health therapist. Some patients may experience sensitivity while whitening. Tooth whitening is not recommended for children under 15 years of age or for pregnant and lactating women. We also do not recommend whitening systems that require the use of whitening gels overnight.

Is professional tooth whitening better than over-the-counter? Yes. Consulting your dentist or hygienist is always the first step to whitening your teeth safely. Over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels and toothpaste can take weeks or months to whiten your teeth just a few shades and may damage tooth enamel. Professional teeth whitening also provides the quickest and safest procedure.

Further, custom-made whitening trays are essential to achieving the optimal result. Well-fitting dental trays are designed in-house by our professional team, precisely to fit your teeth and be comfortable to wear. They can be used for years to come if well-maintained.

Two Convenient Treatment Options for Whiter Teeth

Introduced by SHDC Dental Hygienist Anneke Botica

In-house teeth whitening

You can have the teeth-whitening procedure done in the dental chair at SHDC for fast results. This usually takes 90-120 minutes – ideal if you want to look your best for a special occasion. An at-home whitening pack is included for home touch-ups.

At-home teeth whitening

This allows you to whiten your teeth at home. Usually takes 1-2 weeks to achieve desired results. You can also maintain your bright smile whenever you want with your own Whitening Gel to use with your custom-fit trays.

The SHDC Whitening for Life Program

We believe prevention is better than cure. As an incentive to encourage our patients to have regular hygiene for better oral and general health, we recommend our popular Whitening For Life program.

The Whitening for Life Program is a do-it-yourself take-home kit to be applied to your teeth in the comfort of your own home. First, we take an impression of your teeth during your appointment. Perfect-fit trays are made for you to take home with your own kit of whitening gels.

Join the program, and you’ll get your custom-made whitening trays and receive a FREE Whitening Gel (valued at $75) with every 6-monthly hygiene visit.

Remember, if you are already part of the Whitening for Life program, be sure to arrange your next hygiene visit and get your free Whitening Gel.

The Holistic Approach to Whiter Teeth

Remember, teeth whitening is not a one-off procedure! You can have a healthy, white smile for life when you combine easy, at-home care with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Remember…

  • Regular, thorough teeth cleaning by yourself is essential (yes, flossing too!)
  • Eat healthy food
  • Maintain good hydration
  • Quality sleep and regular exercise are also important
safe-teeth-whitening

Tips for effective Teeth Whitening

  • It is important to follow the instructions of your dentist or hygienist
  • Timely professional appointments to maintain oral hygiene and check your oral health
  • Don’t use the teeth-whitening system overnight
  • Don’t over-fill the whitening trays. Ill-fitting and overfilled dental trays are not helpful for safe whitening
  • Use the whitening gel provided by your dentist. It contains hydrogen peroxide which can be safely used to give you a fresher, whiter looking smile

Find out more about SHDC Teeth Whitening programs here…