A white and elegant smile plays a significant role in boosting your self-esteem. If you regularly find yourself covering your mouth when speaking or laughing, you should consider teeth whitening. A teeth whitening procedure can help eradicate years of teeth discoloration and stains for quick smile restoration. Tamesha Morris, DDS, a family dentist at Momentum Dental Care, and the experienced team provide effective in-office teeth whitening. To get started, contact or book a consultation online.
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What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a procedure that eliminates both external (superficial) and intrinsic (deep inside) stains from your teeth. While over-the-counter (OTC) products can remove surface stains, they cannot reach the deeper layers of your teeth, as well as professional whitening. The most common products used in teeth whitening treatments include hydrogen peroxide or carbamide. They are FDA-approved and have proven to be safe and effective.
What Are the Causes of Teeth Staining?
Your teeth gradually lose their beautiful, white hue as you mature. There are numerous reasons and risk factors why this occurs over time. The main causes of stained teeth include:
· Colored Food and Drinks
Foods such as soy sauce, red spaghetti sauce, curries, and berries, as well as beverages such as red wine, coffee, and tea, can stain your teeth.
· Age
As you get older, your enamel thins, exposing the deeper, yellowish dentin underneath it.
· Genetics
Enamel is the strong covering on the surface of your teeth that protects the softer dentin beneath. While enamel keeps your teeth brilliant, if you have naturally thinner enamel due to heredity, it can show the darker dentin underlying.
· Medication
Various drugs and medical treatments, such as antibiotics and chemotherapy, can induce tooth discoloration.
· Tobacco Use
Tobacco products, such as cigarettes and tobacco chewing, contain nicotine and tar, which can stain your teeth and give them a brownish-yellow tint.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening is a straightforward procedure. One of two teeth bleaches is present in whitening products (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break down stains into smaller bits, making the color less vivid and your teeth brighter.
Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?
Not really; that is why you should consult your dentist before whitening your teeth, as whiteners may not remove all types of discoloration. Yellow teeth, for instance, will most likely bleach well, while brown teeth may not respond well. Also, teeth with gray tones might not be whitened through this procedure. Veneers, caps, crowns, and fillings won’t whiten. Teeth whitening will also not be effective if your tooth discoloration results from medications or dental damage.
Is the Teeth Whitening Result Permanent?
The teeth whitening results do not last forever. However, they can last for up to six months or longer. To maintain your white teeth for longer, dentists recommend flossing and brushing daily and attending professional teeth cleanings once every six months. To minimize staining, avoid using dark-colored beverages such as black tea or coffee or drinking them via a straw and quit using tobacco products.
To sum up, if you wish to have elegant and bright teeth, contact Dr. Morris and the team or book an appointment online today to restore your bright smile.