Take-home whitening treatments are both safe and effective. Do you want a whiter, brighter smile? If so, you might consider a professional whitening treatment. One of the most effective options is to use a take-home whitening kit that is provided to you with the guidance of your dentist. These kits are safe and effective at removing stains caused by coffee, wine, and other dark coloured foods. Furthermore, these kits can brighten the shade of the teeth considerably and help to achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. It is important, however, that you discuss the treatment with your dentist so that you know how to use the kit correctly. This will ensure that you enjoy optimal results and that you avoid issues like tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Read on to find out more about take-home teeth whitening treatments and how they work… How does at-home whitening work? At-home teeth whitening treatments are often an ideal option for individuals who are particularly busy and don’t have time to visit their dentist’s office for an in-office whitening treatment. If you decide to whiten your teeth at home, you will need to see your dentist for an appointment in which your dentist will design customised trays to fit comfortably into your mouth. They will also provide you with a whitening gel, which is to be placed into your tray. You’ll need to wear your trays from 2 hours to overnight — your dentist will advise you as to how long you should wear your tray based on the extent of your discolouration, as well as your aesthetic goals. What is the alternative? Another effective way to brighten one’s smile is to undergo an in-office whitening treatment at your dentist’s office. This form of treatment achieves instant results and can improve the appearance of one’s smile significantly. During an in-office whitening treatment, your dentist will apply a whitening agent to your teeth. They may also use a laser light to speed up the process in some instances. The whitening agent works by breaking up stains on the surface of the teeth and achieving a brighter shade of white. How do you maintain your results? Whether you choose to whiten your teeth at home, or prefer an in-office treatment, there are a number of ways in which you can maintain the results of your whitening treatment. It is advisable that you avoid smoking, as this can cause stains to the surface of your teeth. It is also helpful to limit your consumption of foods and drinks that tend to stain the teeth — these include tea, coffee, wine, highly pigmented fruits and berries, and dark sauces. Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist for regular check-ups and cleans will also keep your teeth looking good in the long term. How can we help? At Hyde Park Dental Care, we offer take-home whitening kits for patients who would like to brighten their smiles in the comfort of their own homes. If you are interested in the treatment, we encourage you to come in and see us so that we can confirm whether you are a suitable candidate for the treatment, and to explain the process in detail to you. If you decide to go ahead with the treatment, we will design custom dental trays to fit your mouth. We will also provide you with a whitening product, which you will need to place in your dental tray. You will have control of your treatment and can determine the desired result as you go. If you would like to find out more about take-home whitening at Hyde Park Dental Care, please have a look here. To view before and after photos of patients who have undergone teeth whitening at Hyde Park Dental Care, be sure to click here. If you would like to arrange a consultation with us, please give us a call on 02 9267 9526 or get in touch with us here. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.