Over time, it is common for your teeth to become more yellow or gray or otherwise discolored. This occurs for a variety of reasons such as aging or exposure to certain foods or liquids. Any food or liquid that has any color to it or contains certain minerals can discolor your teeth. Even if your teeth just aren’t as white as you would like them to be, there are many tooth whitening options.
What is teeth whitening?
There are a variety of different ways to whiten your teeth. At-home whitening kits, strips, and toothpaste are available over the counter. The fastest whitening protocol is in-office whitening. But if you want the deepest whitening possible, at-home bleaching, using custom made bleaching trays will give the biggest bang for your buck, and will actually take your bleaching to a deeper level than the in-office whitening.
In-office whitening involves applying a bleaching agent to your teeth. Some offices use laser technology or other forms of light to energize the bleach. We place the bleaching agent strategically so that it does not touch your tongue or gums, and then the light source is placed over your mouth to carefully heat the bleach and speed up the process. Light-activated teeth whitening can take around 30-90 minutes and the results are instant.
What causes tooth discoloration?
It is important to understand what factors can cause your teeth to look yellow and discolored. Coffee, red wine, and other dark drinks can have a staining effect on your teeth. Acidic foods can also add to this effect. Heavy tobacco use is associated with a yellowing smile. To help keep your teeth from becoming discolored in the first place, it is important to brush and floss regularly and to get a cleaning every six months. It is also advised to rinse your mouth out with water after drinking dark colored beverages or after eating foods that may stain your teeth. Factually,any liquid or food that has any color or contains certain minerals (such as iron etc) can cause tooth discoloration.
What are the benefits of teeth-whitening?
Teeth whitening treatments can restore both your confidence and smile. In-office whitening is instantaneous and other methods take a varied amount of time (everyone bleaches at a different rate, usually 4 to 6 weeks), and the results are dramatic and very noticeable. As long as the teeth whitening is accomplished as directed by your dentist it is 100% safe and will not damage your teeth in the process. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so make a lasting impression with your pearly whites.
If you are considering getting your teeth whitened, or simply just want to learn more about the procedure, please do not hesitate to give us a call. You will have dramatically whiter teeth instantly, and your smile will look as good as new. Contact us today!