Everything You Need To Know Before Your First Teeth Whitening Treatment

Teeth whitening is a surefire way to boost your smile, dental health & confidence. There are several teeth cleaning and whitening treatments, such as an over-the-counter home whitening kit, a prescription-based tooth whitening system, and whitening toothpaste.

But in-office professional teeth whitening is the more viable option for dental care. Besides being able to provide you with instant visible results, you are given a customised approach for more efficient and safer process.

Most in-office teeth whitening procedure includes a special kind of UV or LED (light-emitting diode) light technology that hastens the process of whitening teeth and lessens the wait time. The light helps the bleaching agent by breaking down teeth stains without the usual sting of dental bleaching ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide.

SmileBar uses LED light technology to activate the power of the non-peroxide based whitening gel to brighten your teeth within no time.

If you’re planning to have a SmileBar tooth whitening appointment or already have one, stay on this page, and we’ll tell you what exactly you’re walking into, especially when it getting the best dental health.

LED Teeth Whitening: Myths, Costs, and Results

You probably have seen UV light more often than LED teeth whitening in your home whitening kit, but what you don’t know is that UV light emits can be harmful to both your teeth and your eyes, mouth, lips, and gums. Although they’re more popular, there’s no supported proof that UV light is more effective in dental procedures than LED.

On the other hand, LED teeth whitening releases a blue light that enhances the process but doesn’t emit heat to the teeth, so it will not damage your teeth’s enamel. Compared to UV light, LED light is safer but is still as effective.

Moreover, unlike veneers or crowns, LED light teeth whitening is non-invasive, more affordable, and provides instantly whiter teeth in just one visit to your dentist.

SmileBar uses the best and the latest LED technology in all its clinics for teeth whitening in Melbourne and Sydney. We also use non-peroxide based whitening gel, so there are no side effects like chemical burns, sensitivity, and dehydration.

Is Teeth Whitening Bad For Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening methods help keep your teeth clean and looking healthy; however, the use of bleaching agents with high hydrogen peroxide concentration regularly is not advisable. Unsupervised use of potent bleaching agents can significantly damage your teeth’s enamel, and that leads to more teeth sensitivity and poor gum health.

If you get an in-office tooth whitening treatment with any dentist, you will be provided with a take-home whitening kit for teeth maintenance as part of your after-care regimen. You will be given a lower dosage of peroxide and a customised tray to help you apply the treatment with accuracy. 

How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Teeth Professionally Whitened?

The teeth whitening price varies depending on the kind of teeth whitening treatment or ‘intensity’ you’re going for. It reaches up to $800 on some clinics, and some offer additional take-home kits with customised product trays which adds up to the costs.

SmileBar treatments start at $249 to $299 before discounts. Please check out our Melbourne and Sydney bookings page for the latest prices.

How Does It Work?

The process is almost the same for all light teeth whitening services, and here at SmileBar, it’s pretty straightforward and definitely not scary like sitting on a dentist chair!

We start by identifying the correct shade of your teeth, before and after so the cosmetic dentist or the clinic attendant can document the colour of your teeth before and after treatment. Next comes to teeth cleaning and whitening and then we add the whitening gel.

While sitting down on our special designer chair to make you more comfortable, your teeth will be under our state-of-the-art dental teeth whitening machine. The process is repeated two more times to achieve the best results.

How Long Does It Take To Whiten Teeth?

Each treatment lasts 20-30 minutes long, and as mentioned, it’s done three times so that it will take you at least 60-90 minutes on each visit.

How White is White?

Everyone expects to get out of our clinics with dazzling white smiles that look like what they see in celebrities or Instagram influencers. But to set your expectations right, what actually determines the final result of your teeth whitening treatment is the original colour of your teeth itself.

Yes, in the end, genetics is still at play!

Just like how others are born with black-coloured eyes, the ‘whiteness’ of your post-treatment teeth will depend on how white it originally was.

How Long Will Your Teeth Stay White?

Your whitened teeth will not stay white like that for years.

Your teeth post-treatment can be up to 15 shades whiter, but it will eventually fade back. Your bright smile isn’t guaranteed forever, and that’s why it’s essential to take home a teeth whitening kit so you can maintain it.

Some patients teeth stay white even after six months, while others may be darker in just a few weeks later. It all depends on your hygiene and your eating habits.

After-care, Side Effects

Take note that your teeth will be very porous immediately after treatment. That’s why it’s highly advised that you avoid eating colourful food like berries, juices, coffee, tea, red wine, sauces, smoking and anything that could potentially stain a white t-shirt for at least seven days post-treatment.

If you can’t help yourself from drinking juices, always make use of a straw.

If you neglect this advice, the pores of your teeth will close up, the stains will stay, and the new colour of your teeth will be locked in.

How To Deal With Teeth Sensitivity Post Treatment

Teeth sensitivity is generally expected after each treatment, however, due to our product being 6% Hydrogen Peroxide, our treatment is safe, ethical and has no side effects.

Here are six things you can do to mitigate the situation if you have used another product or service that has caused sensitivity:

1. Use a sensitivity oral toothpaste – you may also use the sensitivity toothpaste that came with your post-treatment after-care white teeth kit.
2. Skip your teeth whitening regimen for a while – give your teeth a break. Too many treatments can cause more sensitivity.
3. Be sure t skip applying antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide for a while.
4. Chew a gum that doesn’t have a colour. Salivating distracts you from discomfort.
5. Use a soft-bristled brush – they’re gentler on your teeth and gums and help with the pain as well.
6. Limit cold drinks and food – it may be more painful to drink cold drinks or eat a meal after your teeth whitening treatment.
7. Be sure to see a dentist if you have used a home whitening kit and for you or your family and you feel any ongoing pain

Ready for Your First Teeth Whitening Treatment?

It can be daunting at first, but once you see your new smile, it’ll be worth it. You’ll bring home a flashing smile that will make you more confident than ever before! SmileBar products are 100% safe and fully comply with the US safety standards (FDA Approved) of the cosmetic directive and legislation as well as the Australian safety standards (ACCC compliant).

Have you got any questions? Contact us today so we can talk about it and book the next available time for you!teeth white