Your local guide to gentle dental care in the South West.

Tooth colour is influenced by a combination of external and internal factors. Surface staining develops on the outer enamel, while deeper discolouration can occur within the enamel and underlying dentine.

Common contributors include diet (such as coffee, tea, and red wine), smoking and lifestyle habits, and the natural ageing process — where enamel gradually becomes thinner, revealing the darker dentine beneath. Additional factors may include tooth trauma, decay, excess fluoride exposure, certain medications (such as tetracycline), and individual genetics.

As a qualified dental practitioner, I am able to clinically assess the type and depth of staining, ensuring that any whitening treatment is both safe and appropriately tailored — offering a level of care beyond non-dental providers.

Professional teeth whitening uses high-strength hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gels, available only through qualified dental practitioners, to gently lift stains from the teeth.

The gel is applied to the tooth surface, where it penetrates the enamel and underlying dentine to break down stain molecules. As these stains are lifted, the teeth appear brighter, fresher, and more radiant.

A specialised light may be used to enhance and accelerate the process, supporting more efficient and optimal results.

Every smile is unique, so results cannot be predicted to an exact shade. Be cautious of treatments that promise a fixed number of shades lighter, as outcomes depend on your natural tooth colour, the type and depth of staining, and individual lifestyle factors.

During your consultation, your teeth will be carefully assessed and your likely results discussed, so you feel informed and confident before proceeding.

As a qualified dental practitioner, each treatment is guided by a clinical understanding of your teeth — ensuring results that are brighter, balanced, and naturally aligned with your smile.

Teeth whitening is not permanent, with results typically lasting 6–12 months, and in some cases up to two years, depending on your treatment, oral hygiene, and lifestyle habits.

Smoking and frequent consumption of staining foods or drinks may reduce longevity, while mindful maintenance can help preserve your results for longer.

Like hair colouring, occasional maintenance is recommended to keep your smile looking fresh and refined.

What’s the difference between cosmetic and professional dental whitening?

Professional dental whitening is performed and supervised by a registered dental practitioner using regulated, clinical-strength whitening agents tailored to your individual needs.

Over-the-counter or cosmetic whitening products typically contain lower-strength ingredients and do not offer the same level of safety, effectiveness, or personalised clinical assessment.

All treatments are performed by an AHPRA-registered dental hygienist with extensive experience in preventive dental care, including professional teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening is a dedicated area of clinical focus, delivered with precision, skill, and attention to detail. While this treatment is often delegated to hygienists within general dental practices, at Mint it is offered as a specialised service in a calm, considered, non-clinical setting.

Ideally, yes — particularly if you haven’t seen your dentist within the past 12 months.

A professional clean can be provided prior to whitening to remove plaque, calculus (tartar), and surface staining, creating a healthy foundation for optimal results. A dental examination also ensures there are no active concerns such as decay or gum disease before treatment.

As a dental hygienist, I will assess your oral health during your visit and, if required, coordinate a referral to your dentist for further care or review.

Most patients experience little to no sensitivity during or after treatment. If it does occur, it is typically mild and short-lived. In rare instances, some individuals may experience brief bursts of sensitivity during or after treatment.

This advanced whitening system is designed to minimise discomfort and is less likely to cause the more significant sensitivity sometimes associated with traditional in-clinic whitening methods.

If you have a history of sensitivity with whitening, your treatment can be carefully adjusted to ensure a more comfortable experience.

For the first 24–48 hours after treatment, we strongly recommend following a “white diet” by avoiding dark-coloured foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, red sauces, soy sauce, curries, beetroot, berries, green juices, cola, and tobacco products. This helps protect your results while the enamel stabilises and rehydrates.

Sensitivity, if experienced, is typically mild and temporary. To minimise discomfort, we recommend avoiding very hot, cold, or acidic foods and drinks for 24 hours, and using a desensitising toothpaste or remineralising products such as Tooth Mousse, as directed.

Applying Mint’s Protect Gel — a protective remineralising and desensitising gel — can also support comfort and enamel recovery after treatment.

Individuals with pre-existing sensitivity or certain enamel conditions may be more prone to temporary sensitivity; however, your treatment can be carefully tailored to help minimise this and ensure a more comfortable experience.

Teeth whitening is not suitable for everyone, and suitability is always assessed prior to treatment.

Whitening may not be recommended if you have:

• Active tooth decay or gum disease (which should be treated first)

• Braces or Invisalign attachments

• Large crowns, veneers, or fillings on the front teeth

• Known allergies to whitening ingredients

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding

• Are under 18 years of age

A full clinical assessment ensures treatment is safe, appropriate, and tailored to your individual needs.

For most adults, a scale and clean is recommended every 6 to 12 months to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.

However, some individuals may benefit from more frequent visits depending on their gum health or other ongoing oral health concerns. Your recommended recall interval will always be tailored to your individual needs.

A scale & clean is a preventative treatment designed to gently remove plaque, tartar, and surface staining above the gumline, supporting the prevention of dental disease.

Periodontal treatment is a more advanced form of care, focused on managing gum disease by thoroughly cleaning below the gumline to reduce inflammation and bacterial build-up.

Where indicated, and particularly in more advanced cases, care may be coordinated with or referred to a specialist periodontist to support optimal long-term outcomes.

Most people find a scale & clean comfortable, particularly with advanced air polishing technology used at Mint, which uses warm water and is gentle on the teeth and gums.

If there is significant tartar build-up, gum inflammation, or if you have sensitive teeth, you may experience some sensitivity during treatment. If you feel nervous, please let me know — numbing gels and local anaesthetic are available to ensure a more comfortable and supported experience.

In some cases, more frequent maintenance visits may also improve comfort over time. Your recommended recall interval will always be tailored to your individual needs.

Common signs may include bleeding or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, gum tenderness, gum recession, or in more advanced cases, loose teeth.

If you notice any of these symptoms, a clinical assessment is recommended to carefully evaluate your gum health and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

In some cases, where more advanced or complex care is required, a referral to a specialist periodontist may be recommended to ensure you receive the highest level of care.

Gum disease is primarily caused by the build-up of plaque and bacteria along and below the gumline over time.

Factors that may increase risk include smoking, hormonal changes, genetics, stress, and certain medical conditions.

If left unmanaged, gum disease can progress over time, leading to gum recession, bone loss, and eventually tooth mobility or loss.

Research has also shown associations between ongoing, untreated gum disease and broader systemic health conditions. This is thought to be due to chronic inflammation and bacterial infection in the mouth, which may allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and impact overall health. These associations include cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack and stroke), diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to help prevent long-term damage and support both oral health and overall wellbeing.

Yes. Maintenance visits are an essential part of managing gum health and preventing recurrence. These are typically scheduled more frequently than standard cleans, depending on your individual needs.

Early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) can often be reversed with treatment and improved oral hygiene. More advanced periodontal disease can be managed and stabilised, but not fully reversed.

Yes, many private health funds offer rebates for hygiene and periodontal treatments, depending on your level of cover. Some funds may also contribute towards teeth whitening.

As coverage varies between providers, we recommend checking directly with your health fund to confirm your individual inclusions.