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Teeth Whitening in Cape Town

Teeth discolouration is a widespread problem that several different factors can cause. The most common cause of stained teeth is tobacco use, which can lead to yellowing of the teeth over time. Other causes of tooth discolouration include the consumption of dark-coloured liquids such as coffee, tea, and red wine and poor dental hygiene. Ageing also contributes to teeth becoming less bright, as the tooth enamel gets thinner, and the dentin becomes darker. In some cases, intrinsic stains can develop inside the tooth, typically because of physical trauma or exposure to antibiotics during childhood. While teeth discolouration can be off-putting, there are several ways to achieve brighter teeth, such as professional teeth whitening or at-home bleaching kits. You can achieve a brighter, more youthful smile with a little effort. 

When it comes to teeth whitening, one size does not fit all. Every person’s teeth are different, so every whitening treatment should be customised to suit the individual. You may experience some discomfort during the whitening process if you have sensitive teeth. However, some steps can be taken to minimise sensitivity, such as using a desensitising gel before and after treatment. In addition, the type of take-home whitening kit you use is also essential. For example, increasing the percentage of the bleaching gel can help reduce wear time and decrease sensitivity. If you experience any sensitivity after treatment, it is usually temporary and will go away within a few hours. Most people only experience minor discomfort, if any at all. 

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure used at home or by a professional. Professional teeth whitening uses bleaching agents to change the colour of your teeth by several shades. In contrast, over-the-counter whitening products such as strips and pens only dissolve surface stains and can only change the colour by one or two shades. Whitening products are suitable for maintenance once you have achieved your desired result but be careful of strips with a high hydrogen peroxide content as they can cause damage to your gums. In-chair dental teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to achieve your desired result. 

OptiSmile offers a free video consultation with the dentist first, and when you come in for an exam and any necessary X-rays (R2377), you will be assessed by your dentists at no charge for teeth whitening. 

Bleaching is different from whitening in that you are changing the interior colour of the teeth and not just removing surface stains. 
To do this, you need to use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, which penetrates the tooth and decolourises the staining molecules held deep within the tooth.
The nerve can become stimulated, and you may experience sensitivity for a few hours, but this can be controlled by your dental professional.
You may also receive desensitising gels to use at home, but this can mostly be prevented and customised for each patient. Bleaching is not a one size fits all approach, and each person should have a custom plan prescribed by a dentist.

No we don’t provide Zoom any longer.  OptiSmile is one of the premier teeth whitening providers in Cape Town. Through our research and extensive product testing, we have found other teeth whitening products that work exceptionally well. 

Professional whitening is often the best option for achieving a brighter smile. Unlike over-the-counter products, which can vary significantly in quality and effectiveness, professional whitening treatments are regulated by dental associations to ensure safety and efficacy. However, even with professional treatments, it is essential to follow your dentist’s instructions regarding how long to leave the bleaching agent on your teeth. Leaving it on for too long can damage your tooth enamel, so it is essential to avoid caution. In South Africa, only dentists and hygienists are legally allowed to perform professional whitening treatments, so be sure to visit a reputable dental clinic if you are looking to achieve a brighter smile. 

Both the take-home and in-chair options can be effective when achieving maximum whiteness, depending on your teeth. The key is to have a customised approach that considers your individual needs. This may mean combining in-chair whitening with take-home whitening to achieve the best results for some people. Home bleaching can take an average of 4-6 weeks, but it is possible to maintain the results with just 30 minutes of at-home care once a month. The best way to achieve and maintain optimal whiteness will vary from person to person. 

Kindly book your free video consultation to discuss all the details. 

Achieving whiter teeth is a common goal for many people. While achieving 6-8 shades lighter results is possible, it is crucial to remember that everyone reaches a different result. Only 2-3% of people will achieve “Hollywood” whiteness from bleaching alone. Teeth are not meant to glow in the dark, so you will still have a natural look after your whitening, but whiter results do require more bleaching. You always need to bleach and then match new dental work to the desired outcome rather than trying to reach your tooth colour to abnormally white dental work. Everyone has a different whitening endpoint where the teeth stop changing colour. This is when you need to stop bleaching and go into maintenance to avoid damage to the tooth itself. This is another crucial reason to consult your dental professional during your check-up. They will be able to discuss your options and help you find the best way to achieve the results you are looking for. 

Many people think that they need to get their teeth cleaned before they can whiten them. However, this is not always the case; we can sometimes clean them on the same day. While it is true that oral hygiene is vital for overall health and that plaque can prevent whitening agents from doing their job, in many cases, a teeth cleaning can be done on the same day as the whitening. This is especially true if the patient has good oral hygiene habits and does not have large areas of decay or gum disease. In other cases, it may even be necessary to wait a week after the cleaning before whitening the teeth to allow the gums to settle. A qualified dental professional should make the decision to clean the teeth before whitening them on a case-by-case basis. 

This depends on the program that has been customised for you. It could take a week of home whitening to 3 months. Each kit works differently; therefore, you should consult a qualified dentist before deciding a course of action.
Opalescence take-home whitening gel is perfect for people who want many options. (“Opalescence Tooth Whitening Systems – Take Home”) With four different concentrations and three flavours, you can wear Opalescence for as little as 30 minutes per day—or even overnight! Dispensed only by a licensed dental professional, Opalescence take-home whitening gel allows you to get professional whitening results at your convenience, safely, and effectively. (“Teeth Whitening Treatment Singapore – DP Dental”)
Considered an effortless way to whiten teeth, the take-home kit is formulated to prevent dehydration and shade relapse; there are four concentrations for treatment flexibility. 

Explore further: How long does teeth whitening last? 

Activated charcoal is a tooth whitening trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years. And it’s no wonder why – activated charcoal is said to be able to remove even the most stubborn of stains, leaving teeth looking brighter and cleaner. But does it really work? Clinical studies have shown that charcoal tooth whitening products are no more effective than regular toothpastes at whitening teeth. Regular toothpastes also contain abrasive agents which have the same scrubbing effect as charcoal. Thus, there is no need to spend extra money on charcoal toothpaste. Save your money and stick to regular toothpaste or go for the real thing, with our teeth whitening service.