A check before the kit
Your dentist checks your teeth, gums and dental work before a kit leaves the building. That matters most when one tooth is darker than the rest, a front filling shows, or something other than stain is behind the colour.
Whitening on your own time
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
The only quiet time in your day is the half-hour before bed, once the kitchen’s done and the house has gone still. Whitening at home can fit into it. Most POLA take-home courses take about 20 minutes a day for one to two weeks. Before a kit goes home with you, we check your teeth, gums, dental work and any sensitivity, then set the routine for your teeth.
What we add to the kit
Why get a whitening kit from a dentist at all?
Because the gel is only part of it. We check that whitening makes sense for your teeth, pick the POLA® option meant for you and give you a routine written for your mouth. You’ll also know exactly who to ring if your teeth turn sensitive or the kit isn’t comfortable. POLA® is a registered trademark of SDI Limited.
A routine set for you
You’ll be told how much gel to use, how long to wear it and how often, for your POLA system. A friend’s routine or one from the internet won’t carry over, because the right amount depends on the product and on your teeth.
Someone to ring
If your teeth or gums react, the kit rubs or the routine just isn’t working, call (08) 9407 7888. We’ll tell you whether to pause, change how you’re using it, or come in so your dentist can take a look.
Worth mentioning first
A few things to mention first
A few things change the advice, so bring them up when you book: sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, a crack, anything waiting to be fixed, fillings or crowns on your front teeth, one darker tooth, or being pregnant or breastfeeding.
Whitening can make teeth more sensitive, and the gel can irritate gums. If cold drinks already sting or your gums bleed when you brush, we’ll usually settle that first, or suggest a different option.
Home or something else
When a home kit fits, and when it doesn’t
Home whitening asks for a short daily routine for one to two weeks, and a quick call to us if something feels off. If that doesn’t fit your life, if your teeth need other care first, or if you’d like to compare options, the teeth whitening page sets out the wider picture.
A kit works well for people who’ll follow the instructions, keep it out of children’s reach and ring us when sensitivity or fit becomes a worry. Your dentist still makes the call on whether your teeth are ready for it.
From our chair to your sink
How the kit gets from us to you
Your dentist checks your mouth, picks the POLA system for you and explains the routine, and you leave knowing how to reach us with questions.
You talk us through your week.
What you’d like to change, how much time you realistically have each day, and whether you’ve had sensitivity, dental work, bleeding gums or one tooth that looks darker.
We check your teeth and gums.
We check your teeth, gums, jaw, bite and soft tissues. If an X-ray would help explain a tooth, we’ll say why before taking one.
We pick your POLA option.
POLA comes in more than one version. We’ll confirm which one you’re getting, what’s in the box, and whether a tray is part of it.
You go home with directions.
Your dentist or one of our team explains the amount, the wear time, how to look after the kit and the warning signs. Follow those, not a schedule from another product.
You whiten at home, as shown.
Stick to the routine and times you were given. More gel or longer wear won’t speed things up safely.
You ring us if something feels wrong.
Sensitivity, sore gums, patchy colour or a kit that doesn’t fit are all worth a call. We’ll tell you whether to keep going, pause or come in.
Care and stop signs
When should I stop and ring you?
Follow the written directions we give you with your POLA kit, plus any instructions in the box. Keep the gel and every part of the kit out of children’s reach, don’t swallow the gel, and use only the amount and timing your dentist set.
Stop and ring us on (08) 9407 7888 if you have strong or lasting sensitivity, irritated gums, a sharp pain in a tooth, swelling, or colour that’s changed unevenly. Gel on the gums, lips or tongue can irritate or even burn them, so don’t try to even things out with more whitening.
If your kit has a tray, ask how it should fit and how to clean it. Once your course is done the colour fades slowly, and an occasional top-up is normal once your dentist is happy with it. Results differ from person to person, so check with us before switching products or starting another course.
Your directions live with the kit
They cover the amount, wear time, cleaning, storage and any review, and they’re written for your POLA system. They don’t carry over to another version or to a friend’s kit.
Check with us before a refill
An old kit, a refill or a new course isn’t automatically right for your teeth now. Ring us before you buy or restart anything, and we’ll tell you whether your dentist wants to see you first, which parts you need and what it costs.
What’s in it, and the fee
The box, and the fee
There’s no one-size package. Your POLA version, what comes with it, your instructions and any review are worked out for you, and you’ll hear what the fee covers before you say yes.
Book an AppointmentKit contents
Before you leave, we’ll go through what your kit includes: the gel, a tray or other applicator if your system uses one, your written instructions, and how to reach us or book a review. Not every POLA option comes with the same parts.
Trays, spare parts and refills
We’ll tell you whether a tray is supplied, what happens if it doesn’t fit and whether spare parts are available for your kit.
Will my health fund cover it?
Cosmetic whitening isn’t automatically covered. We accept private health fund claims and are a preferred provider with Bupa, HCF and nib, but your rebate, limits and gap depend on your policy and the item number. Ways to spread the cost, each with its own eligibility check, are on our payment options page.
Ten minutes of questions, free
Our free 10-minute implant and cosmetic consultation is open to everyone, new to us or not. It covers your questions about goals and options, but it’s an information session and not an examination, so it can’t confirm a kit is right for your teeth.
Getting started in Mindarie
Book online or request an appointment, email enquiries@anchoragedental.com.au, or ring (08) 9407 7888. We’re at 1/6 Rothesay Heights in Mindarie, open 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm Friday and 8am to 1pm Saturday. We’re closed on Sundays.
If a kit isn’t the answer
When something else fits better
If you’re not sure about a kit, start with the main whitening page. The others help when colour is only part of what you’d like to change.
Home whitening questions
Before I open the kit, what should I know?
Your kit comes with directions for your teeth. These answers cover what to ask before you start, and what to do if the routine or your teeth don’t feel right.
It depends on the POLA system your dentist chooses, and we’ll show you exactly what’s included before you agree. Kits can differ in their gel, tray, accessories, refills and review visits, and we’ll give you the details and directions that go with yours.
That depends on the product you’re given, and we’ll tell you at your appointment. We’ll also explain whether your kit includes a tray, how it should fit and what to do if it feels loose or gel reaches your gums, all before your first use.
Exactly the amount and wear time your dentist gives you for your POLA system. Most take-home courses run about 20 minutes a day over one to two weeks, but versions and teeth differ, so another kit’s schedule isn’t a safe stand-in. Ring us if anything’s unclear.
Pause the kit and ring us if the sensitivity or gum irritation is strong, lasting or worrying you. Don’t add more gel or wear it longer to make up time. Your dentist will check whether the product, the fit, the routine or an untreated problem is the cause.
No. The gel lightens natural enamel, and crowns, veneers, fillings and bonded resin stay the shade they were. We’ll tell you if a piece of dental work is likely to stand out afterwards, and whether another option makes more sense first.
We’d suggest waiting. The Australian Dental Association advises against teeth whitening while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, because its safety hasn’t been established. Mention it before you accept a kit, and your dentist can talk about timing and anything else worth checking in the meantime.
Ring us before buying a refill or starting an old kit again. Whether refills are available, which parts you need and whether your dentist wants to see you first all depend on the product and on how your teeth and gums are now.
Follow the directions that came with your kit and the product label. If there’s a tray, we’ll show you how to clean and store it. Keep the gel and all the parts away from children, never swallow the gel, and ring us if your instructions go missing.
