How Long Does it Take to Whiten Teeth & What Are the Alternatives?

Stained or discoloured teeth can be whitened by a dentist. This is a fairly common and relatively affordable procedure that can improve the appearance of your teeth and give you a more radiant smile. People who are interested in teeth whitening often ask how long it takes before they see results, and what alternatives are worth considering or trying. This blog post from East Bentleigh Dental Group offers answers to these and other frequently asked questions about teeth whitening, allowing you to make more informed decisions to get your teeth looking as white and attractive as possible.

Why Do Teeth Need to Be Whitened?

Teeth can become discoloured due to a range of factors, including age and various dietary or lifestyle choices. Consuming tea, coffee, red wine, cola and certain starchy foods can stain the teeth. Smoking cigarettes, poor dental hygiene, various medications and certain diseases can also contribute to some extent.

A teeth whitening procedure involves using bleach that soaks through the top layer of the enamel and into the dentine, which makes the teeth look whiter and more reflective. This is suitable for most patients, except those who have sensitive teeth, are pregnant or breastfeeding, suffer from gum disease, or have cracks and exposed dentine.

When Can You Expect to See Results?

The time it takes to see results will depend on how discoloured your teeth are and what approach is used to whiten them. Bleaching is by far the fastest method, making teeth two to three shades whiter in as little as a single 90 minute session. Alternative solutions are generally slower, but using one or combining multiple together can still provide noticeable results within a few weeks or a month.

What Are the Alternatives to Bleaching?

Getting your teeth bleached is a great solution for enhancing their appearance, but there are costs and potential side-effects involved, so not everyone will be willing or able to undergo the procedure. Fortunately, there are several alternative solutions that can be attempted. These include getting a dentist to clean your teeth professionally as well as the use of special whitening toothpastes. There are also mouthwashes and gel-based pens available which can provide results. Veneers, crowns and other dental restoration procedures can additionally be used to improve the appearance of teeth, but these solutions are more expensive.

Book to Get Your Teeth Whitened Today

If you want effective teeth whitening solutions that provide prompt results, you can rely on the team at East Bentleigh Dental Group. Make an appointment today and we’ll assess the condition of your teeth to determine the best way forward. Call us on (03) 9575 1100 or enquire online.