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The benefits of being confident with your smile can not be underestimated. One way to be even more confident with your smile is through whitening your teeth. There are several methods available so understanding your options and how they impact your overall oral health is important.

Myth 1: Damage is caused from whitening teeth

While there are many over-the counter toothpastes, gels and strips readily available, it’s your dentist who is the best qualified to determine if your teeth will benefit from whitening. Our teeth naturally turn more yellow and darken as we get older so this should not be a major cause for concern in most cases. Your dentist will be able to determine the cause of any discolouration in order to provide advice on the whitening treatment that will be the most effective for you.

It’s important that you only seek to gain whitening advice and treatment from a professional who understands the full impact that this can have to your teeth. Incorrect use of bleaching products can in fact lead to irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. This includes any home whitening remedies (and we know there are many).

Incorrectly applying whitening treatments can also result in chemical burns to your gums, causing pain, blisters and discolouration. However, issues can still arise even when no injury occurs, often ending with uneven and lacklustre results.

Your teeth are precious, and you need them to last you as long as they possibly can, so although it can be tempting to DIY, treat your teeth well are and visit your dentist for their expert advice.

Myth 2: Teeth whitening can be painful

The teeth whitening procedure itself should never be painful. If you are experiencing pain at any point, it is could be your bleaching solution has been incorrectly applied and should be immediately removed. Visit your dentist to ensure that no permanent damage has occurred.

It’s important to note that some people do experience an increase in tooth sensitivity after a whitening treatment has been completed. This is often experienced when eating hot or cold foods for around 48 hours after the bleaching procedure takes place. If you do experience any severe pain, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

Fact 1: Teeth whitening guided by a dentist is the best method

There are many nuances to our teeth. Your dentist is going to take into account all of these when recommending a whitening treatment for you. They will even consider your fillings, crowns and veneers which do not change colour with any whitening treatments.

In a lot of cases, a regular clean and polish will have a positive impact on the colour of your teeth through the removal of any surface stains. Your dentist can even replace any old fillings or veneers that can help to brighten your smile.

Getting whitening advice and treatment from anyone other than a dentist could lead to long-lasting, damage to your teeth.

Fact 2: Whitening by your dentist works better than DIY versions

This is in fact true. The strength of whitening solutions that a dentist is allowed to use is much higher than that of any DIY product available online and instore, meaning you will end up with better results than any of these products. Your dentist is also able to make recommendations specific to your teeth around timings for your treatment and the best ongoing after-care for your newly white smile.

Dentist-supplied take home whitening kits:

If you prefer the convenience of whitening your teeth alongside the comfort of your couch, your dentist also has whitening kits that you can take home. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to make custom fitted trays. Once home, you follow the instructions laid out by your dentist to achieve a bright white smile.

Whitening treatments in-chair:

A stronger bleach concentration can be used when getting your teeth whitened ‘in-chair’ at the dentist. The solution is applied by your dentist and is activated using an ultra-violet light or laser. The benefits of this type of treatment are often immediate. Your dentist will likely recommend the use of a take-home kit for a continued bright white smile.

If your Dentist lets you know that a bleaching treatment will not be beneficial for your teeth, ask them about the other types of things that can be done to help brighten your smile and boost your confidence. Book an appointment to find out more.

 

*Please note that many healthfunds (including nib) do not provide any rebates for tooth whitening or cosmetic treatments.

 

Great news! Our centres are open and ready to provide treatment to support you and your family’s oral health. Improving the oral health of all Australians to world’s best is our true propose and we remain focused on your health and safety.

nib Dental is committed to caring for the health and well-being of our patients, dentists and employees in all our local communities. We are indebted to the wider healthcare community continuing to work tirelessly to contain and treat those with COVID-19.

It’s important to maintain regular check-ups with your dentist. Regular dental check-ups can prevent the need for major dental work in the future and is far more cost effective than allowing problems to go on undetected. Patients with nib health insurance coverage have access to 100% back on check-ups and cleans. Check-ups, cleans and associated services are often subsidised or provided with “no-gaps” to members of other private health insurance funds who have extras or ancillary cover also.

It is almost never too early to get into the healthy habit of six-monthly dental visits. Children as young as three years of age are advised to visit the dentist for a regular check-up and clean so that they become familiarised with their local nib Dental Care centre to help maximise their chances of achieving lifelong dental health.

Visiting us – STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY
Our centres continue to uphold the highest clinical standards in line with our stringent and accredited (QIP) infection prevention and control and recommendations provided by the Australian Dental Association. We have introduced additional measures at this time.

Signs of illness

• Patients are being asked to report and not attend nib Dental Care centres if they have any of the following symptoms;
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath

Our staff requests this information at several stages including appointment confirmation, online booking and at reception check-in

We have implemented additional protocols:

• Frequently touched surfaces including our waiting areas, reception desk and door handles are being thoroughly disinfected multiple times a day
• We have removed any toys, magazines and other unnecessary items from our waiting rooms
• Social distancing within our waiting and reception areas has been introduced and hand sanitiser is available to all patients upon arrival

When you visit nib Dental Care, you can have peace of mind knowing that significant health precautions are being taken to ensure your safety and importantly maintain your healthy and happy smile.

 

We’re Here to Help!

Working from home, schooling from home and keeping on top of daily routines is a big ask for all parents at the moment. If you need help keeping your child’s dental health in check, we’ve got you covered!  Track and reward your child’s daily brushing with this handy printable Teeth Brushing Chart. Reward with a healthy snack or online activity – maybe not chocolate!

Download Your Teeth Brushing Chart!

 

Feed your family with our top 5 foods for healthy teeth!

We’re all spending much more time at home and cooking during isolation. But don’t forget to think about your family’s teeth when making healthy food choices. These are our top foods for strong teeth.

1. Cheese, plain milk or sugar-free yoghurt – These dairy foods help protect your tooth enamel by providing the calcium needed to remineralise teeth. Always choose low sugar options.
2. Chicken and meat – Chicken and meat contain phosphorus which is an important mineral that helps protect tooth enamel, in combination with calcium.
3. Salmon – Salmon is a great source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important as it allows your body to absorb and use calcium, in turn protecting tooth enamel.
4. Crunchy vegetables – Vegetables that contain lots of water and require lots of chewing such as carrots, raw broccoli, raw cauliflower and celery are great for teeth. All of that chewing breaks down plaque and helps freshen your breath.
5. Crunchy fruits – Fruits with high water content and crunchy texture are great for stimulating saliva and potentially help remove plaque. Best examples are;  Apples, pears and cucumbers.

Did you know?

Saliva contains enzymes that buffer the acids present in food and clean bits of food out of the teeth.

Water helps wash away food debris and maintain saliva levels. Saliva helps against tooth decay because it contains proteins and minerals that counteract enamel eating acids.

 

The Easiest (and Tastiest) Banana Bread!

Banana bread has been popular in Australian households for decades but all the extra time at home has made this favourite the internet’s most searched recipe during this period.

Ingredients

Dry
1.5 x cups self raising Flour (sifted)
1 x cup Coconut
1 x cup Brown Sugar* (firmly packed)
1 x tsp Bicarb

Wet
1 x 270ml Tin Coconut Cream (small tin)
2 x Eggs (lightly whisked)
2 or 3 x bananas (mashed)
1 x tsp Vanilla

Method

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius
2. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl and lightly beat
3. Mix the wet ingredients in another bowl and lightly beat
4. Add the dry and wet ingredients together and mix
5. Pour into a lined loaf tin and place in the over for approximately 1 hour 10 minutes (you may need to watch it as all ovens can vary)

For something a little bit different you can add in a few extras depending on what you have left in the fridge or pantry. For example, blueberries, raspberries, pear etc., even white chocolate bits. If you do add in any extras, you’ll only need to use two bananas depending on the banana size.

Happy baking!

 

* Please note that as this recipe does contain sugar, we recommend that in line with keeping your teeth and gums healthy, to brush your teeth after eating this delicious banana bread. If it’s not possible to brush your teeth immediately after eating,  rinsing your mouth with water will help until you can make it to your next brushing.