Teeth whitening: at-home vs in-chair options

Even the healthiest teeth stain over time. Factors like your age, foods and drinks you consume and lifestyle can all contribute to stains and discolourations. So if you’re keen to remove these stains and give your teeth a brighter, whiter appearance, you simply have to choose a teeth whitening option that’s best for you.

You can choose to whiten your teeth either at home or in the chair at the dentist. Both can whiten your teeth to the same extent; the only major difference is that in-chair teeth whitening is faster. You walk in with stained teeth, and walk out with bright, shiny white teeth! But if you’re in no rush, you can conveniently whiten your teeth daily (or nightly) at home. It’s all about personal preference.

Can yellow teeth be whitened?

Yes, typically, most yellow teeth can be whitened. However, there are a few exceptions, such as:

• Internal discolouration from medications –  If you’ve taken certain medications, such as tetracycline, these can discolour your teeth from the inside out. These stains cannot be removed by bleach. Instead, tooth veneers can be applied to the front surface of the teeth to give a brighter, whiter smile.
• Tooth damage – If a tooth nerve has been damaged and has died, it can send the tooth grey. Similarly, if you have untreated tooth decay, this can discolour the tooth. You must treat the tooth decay to remove the discolouration.
• Crowns, veneers, bridges and dentures – if you have an artificial device on your tooth or teeth, these cannot be bleached.

In-chair teeth whitening

In-chair teeth whitening (professional teeth whitening) can whiten your teeth by two to three shades in an hour. First, you’ll need a quick dental examination to ensure your teeth are ready for bleaching. Next, a powerful bleaching gel is applied to the teeth, and a special light or laser is used to enhance the whitening effect. If you are keen to make your teeth whiter again, you can book in for more sessions until you achieve the level of whiteness you desire. Or, you can purchase an at-home whitening kit to continue your whitening at home.

At-home teeth whitening kits

At Mills Road Dental, we use the Pola professional-strength take-home whitening kits which are far superior to anything you can buy over-the-counter or online. Pola bleach has a neutral pH balance, giving you the most comfortable whitening experience without any pain or sensitivity. You’ll need a quick examination from a dentist first — this is where they can check that bleaching is suitable for you, prescribe the appropriate strength and organise your custom-fit bleaching tray.

Once you’re home with your kit, you simply place a small amount of bleaching gel in the trays and follow the dentist’s instructions. You can whiten your teeth at your own pace in the privacy of your home. Take-home kits are particularly beneficial for those who are too busy to go to the dentist or have sensitive teeth and would prefer to bleach their teeth gradually.