The editor of Indonesia Expat had the chance to (once again) visit Escalade Dental Specialist Center, South Jakarta, to undergo teeth whitening treatment.
There was a time in my youth when I thought that teeth whitening treatment was nothing more than luxury — a kind of dental treatment that one would subscribe to if and only if they happened to be socialites, celebrities, and/or public figures. But then, times changed, and as I grew older, the more I learned that teeth whitening is not to be undermined, let alone underestimated. As I grew older, the more I realised that you can go far and make the best first impression with something as simple, yet vital as a bright, pristine smile.
Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, can be defined as an aesthetic procedure used to make the surface of the teeth appear whiter. Although the appearance of the teeth cannot be brilliant white, it can be an effective way to brighten the colour of yellowed teeth.
There are several reasons why someone does teeth bleaching, namely:
- Age: it can be very difficult to have bright white teeth because the colour of the teeth can change with age;
- Lifestyle: the surface of the teeth can be stained by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, and other drinks. In addition, smoking habits can also stain teeth;
- The use of antibiotics: tartar can also affect the colour of teeth, which is usually caused by certain antibiotics;
- Self-confidence: a smile with yellowish and dull teeth can interfere with self-confidence. When you do teeth bleaching, your smile will look better, which can subsequently improve your self-confidence;
- Bacteria mitigation: some of the ingredients used in teeth whitening are designed to kill bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. When you bleach your teeth, your dental health is well maintained;
Despite its abundance of benefits, teeth whitening usually entails several conditions that the patient must take into consideration before visiting their dentist, such as:
- Teeth whitening can only be done legally by a professional dental care professional. Thus, the patient should avoid doing their own teeth whitening, DIY-style;
- The effects of teeth bleaching are not permanent and can last for several months to approximately three years. The duration of the effect varies from person to person, but generally, the effect of bright teeth does not last long if someone has habits that can stain their teeth, like smoking or drinking coffee regularly;
- Due to the chemicals being used during teeth whitening treatment, there is a possibility that the patient’s teeth and gums will become sensitive. For those who already have sensitive teeth problems, the level of sensitivity can be even higher.
For this particular occasion, I decided to undergo my teeth whitening treatment at the reputable Escalade Dental Specialist Center. For those who have read my previous articles detailing my previous experiences at Escalade Dental Specialist Center, you would not wonder why I decided to visit this clinic once again. (Spoiler: it was because Escalade Dental Specialist Center, as well as its dentists and staff, happens to be one of the best and most capable in Jakarta.) It was a Monday morning in early February, and I was introduced to the one who would be taking care of me during my teeth whitening treatment: Drg. Natalia.
But, before Drg. Natalia proceeded with my treatment, we had a brief chat as she explained why, in contrast to my outdated views, teeth whitening treatment is not exclusively meant for the so-called high society. In fact, if you feel that the colour of your teeth could use some work, enquiring about teeth whitening treatment is nothing to feel ashamed of.
“No, there’s no need to be embarrassed.” Drg. Natalia explained with a warm laugh, “Just because someone wishes for teeth whitening, doesn’t mean they’re dirty. Another thing that should be understood is how we, as Asians, have a basic teeth colour that is actually white with a yellowish undertone. And then, our teeth are getting yellower and yellower due to our lifestyle.”
Furthermore, Drg. Natalia wittily underscored that everyone deserves to have a bright, pristine, and beautiful smile:
“Is the old assumption that only public figures need teeth whitening still valid in this day and age? No. Everyone has the right to be handsome. Everyone has the right to be beautiful. Everyone has the right to smile brightly. That being said, we usually don’t recommend teeth whitening for anyone who is still 17 years old or under.”
Drg. Natalia, afterwards, gave me a brief explanation about the equipment and the ingredients that she would use for my teeth whitening treatment. She would use a retractor to take care of and protect my mouth throughout the treatment, which would take approximately two hours. She would rub a whitening gel on my teeth, which, afterwards, would be ‘activated’ by using blueish LED light. The two-hour treatment would be broken down into four cycles, each of which is ‘separated’ by approximately 15 minutes of LED light.
She also told me that, depending on my teeth sensitivity, the treatment didn’t have to go all the way to the fourth and final cycle.
“For example, if you feel like your teeth have become so sensitive that you can’t stand it anymore, we can stop at the third cycle. That’s usually how it is. But, if you can continue, we can continue to the fourth cycle,” she added.
Drg. Natalia has demonstrated her expertise and her knowledge in treating my very much Asian teeth. But how about the expatriates and the foreigners who are also looking for the best dentistry that can understand their teeth? She simply said that the expat patients would have nothing to be hesitant about. Escalade Dental Specialist Center is ready to cater to all kinds of teeth. Furthermore, the dentists and the staff here are fluent in English as well.
“The expats should have no need to feel, like, ‘Oh, I’m afraid they’re not used to taking care of my kind of teeth’ and such. The expat patients don’t need to overthink anything. You can definitely go to Escalade Dental Specialist Center for either teeth whitening treatment or any dental and oral-related consultation,” she concluded.
Two hours later, the result speaks for itself — as you can see below. (The top image is before the teeth whitening treatment; the bottom image is after the teeth whitening treatment.)
Thank you very much, Drg. Natalia and the incredible staff at Escalade Dental Specialist Center!
Escalade Dental Specialist Center provides dental care for the whole family. Its services range from adult and child care to orthodontic care. To find out more about Escalade Dental Specialist Center, visit its official website www.escaladedental.com or its Instagram page @escaladedental.
- Address: Satrio Tower 13th Floor, Jl. Prof. DR. Satrio No.Kav C4, Kuningan, South Jakarta
- Patient Organiser’s WhatsApp number: +62 878-7513-8040