Considering teeth whitening? Brisbane is full of people just like you who are wondering if it really works. Effective treatments for discoloured teeth are readily available but not all smiles will respond well to teeth whitening treatments. But don’t despair! There are alternatives including cosmetic veneers. Read on to learn what is involved with each option and which is the right one for you. When to book a treatment for teeth whitening Certain foods, lifestyle choices and age can cause teeth discolouration. Foods such as coffee, red wine, tea and soft drinks are known causes. Smoking is also a common problem for extrinsic staining – this is when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained. Such discolouration problems can be minimised with teeth whitening treatments such as “in-chair” Zoom Teeth Whitening. Zoom Teeth Whitening is a clinic dentistry treatment. The appointment involves the use of an intense white light that activates cleaning agents in your teeth. This type of teeth whitening treatment is much safer than over-the-counter kits that contain high levels of chemicals. Zoom Whitening Treatments take between 60 and 90 minutes and deliver excellent results. Your appointment will begin with a whitening gel administered to your teeth, which is activated by an ultra violet light. There are eight whitening shades to choose from. Your dentist will talk through the options with you. When teeth whitening does not work There are times when teeth whitening will not work. Black teeth, for example, will not respond well to any treatment for teeth whitening. Common causes for black teeth occur when the enamel is severely damaged, when a tooth dies or when excess tartar build-up has stained the tooth. This is when you should opt for cosmetic veneers or perhaps a crown. What is a cosmetic veneer? Dental porcelain veneers are very thin covers made to fit over your existing teeth. They are shaped a little like a fingernail and are typically used for the front incisors. Black molars however, are commonly covered with crowns. A crown will cover the entire tooth and is made of precious metal or ceramic; the latter being the most common choice. Black and weakened teeth will not respond well to teeth whitening treatments. Veneers or crowns however, will cover teeth discolouration completely; ceramic being the most natural way possible. Unsure whether your teeth will respond to teeth whitening? Brisbane dentist Robert Duhig can help. Call (07) 3269 2443 to book your appointment...

Aristotle famously said, “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will give you a man” and the same can be said for the care of teeth. Braces are an unfortunate reality that many of today’s parents are facing – but there are preventative measures you can take when they’re little to shape the face of gums to come! Childhood preventative measures Clinical x-Rays carried out when children are little can identify potential problems that may come to light when their adult teeth grow in. Preventative measures – such as the removal of problematic teeth – can be carried out in order to prevent teeth braces being necessary once the child grows. Removing teeth allow for growing gums to be given the space they need to yield lovely, straight teeth that don’t crowd in on each other. Were the procedure to be put off until they grow, it can be a case of removing teeth AND having braces. Removing the teeth early on may take a painful, prolonged step out of the equation. Isn’t the procedure scary? Any dental operation can be scary and overwhelming to anyone, regardless of age. Choosing a dentist who firmly believes in gentle dentistry means trusting those tiny teeth to a kind soul who will gently guide your child (and you, the parent) through the process. This means that dental anxiety will be dramatically decreased and the procedure will be a positive experience for all involved. What is involved in an extraction? Tooth extraction is generally a straight-forward procedure, but it requires an experienced dentist with a gentle approach to help ease a nervous young patient. Your child will only eat soft foods for about a day after the procedure and the normal dental care like teeth brushing should be done very carefully as the mouth and gums are likely to be sensitive. Choosing the Right Dentist for the Job Robert Duhig Dental has been providing gentle care for patients for nearly 30 years. The practice embraces the philosophy of kindness and respect, meaning that appointments are as long (and frequent) as they need to be. Children love the opportunity to get to know their dentist who will patiently explain everything and make them as comfortable as possible. Keen to know more about preventative care for children and what can be done to avoid teeth braces? Contact Robert Duhig Dental...