Blog

At Seapoint Clinic, we provide patients with the fastest way to get your teeth as white as they can be. Worried about being bored? Fear not, as we provide movies from our vast library so you can sit back and relax as the whitening gel and light do all the hard work for you. You won't find a more relaxing or pleasant way to get your teeth back sparkling.

Obviously, there is a limit as to how white your teeth will naturally go. Our in-clinic Teeth Whitening will get your teeth as white as possible without opting for porcelain veneers. We find that a patients teeth can lighten by nine to twelve shades over the course of a single 45 minute session, but the whiteness will vary from person to person.

However, the length of just how long the results will last can vary depending on the patients habits, such as smoking, eating staining food and red wine. The less of these you consume, the longer your white smile will last. Teeth whitening results tend to last anywhere from 1-3 years. If you do smoke, we recommend purchasing home whitening trays for top-ups when needed. Regular hygiene appointments with your dentist can also help maintain a brighter smile.

In-clinic Teeth Whitening doesn't hurt and is often performed for people who have sensitive teeth and cannot wear trays for home whitening. Some patients do experience slight sensitivity after whitening. This tends to only occur towards the end of your whitening session when the benefits have been achieved. In some cases, people may experience sensitivity in the hours after whitening and using Sensodyne® toothpaste on your teeth can alleviate this. The vast majority of people don't need any painkillers for this but if you are anxious at all about the procedure, it may be best to take some gentle painkillers before your appointment.

With such incredible results almost instantly, it is becoming an increasingly popular cosmetic dental treatment among our patients. If you are unsure as to whether you are suitable for Teeth Whitening, we can determine if you are a viable candidate for Teeth Whitening through a quick exam in our whitening suite, which includes a teeth shade assessment. This consultation is free of charge and can be done on the same day as whitening.Many dentists consider teeth whitening to be the safest form of cosmetic dentistry, with extensive research and clinical studies to back it. However, Teeth Whitening is not recommended for those under 13 years of age, pregnant or lactating women. In some cases, whitening can be performed on children over the age of 13 for discoloured teeth, but that is the decision of your dentist to make.

One question we are often asked is whether there is any difference between over-the-counter teeth whiteners and laser teeth whitening. We always recommend consulting your dentists beforehand to ensure your teeth are whitened safely. Whereas in-clinic whitening is clinically proven to whiten your teeth in 45 minutes, shop bought whiteners can take weeks or even months to whiten your teeth just a few shades.

It's an incredibly straightforward process when done by a professional. The light-activated teeth whitening gel's main active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide, meaning that once the gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, safely bleaching coloured substances. All this is achieved without interfering with the structure of the teeth. Teeth Whitening light aids help activate the hydrogen peroxide and helps penetrate the surface of the teeth.

The reason why we recommend you seek professional help when getting your teeth whitened is because the procedure requires all soft tissue in and around the mouth is protected. We achieve this by monitoring the procedure to ensure any exposed skin or tissue is isolated and protected. Protected eyewear is also required through the procedure. We recommend that light sensitive individuals undergoing PUVA (Psoralen+UV Radiation) therapy or any other photo-chemotherapy, as well as patients with melanoma, not undergo teeth whitening. Any patient taking light sensitive drugs or substances should first consult with their physician prior to considering teeth whitening.