White Teeth Bright Smile

Regular brushing and flossing keep your teeth bright, white, and healthy. However, some factors can lead to the discoloration of your teeth. Fortunately, there are teeth whitening treatments that work best in this situation.

But first, let's get to know the causes of staining or discoloration of your teeth, and then we’ll go into how teeth whitening works.

Reasons for Teeth Discoloration

Our teeth can go from bright white to not-so-bright due to several reasons:

Age

Underneath the enamel, there is a smooth part of the teeth called dentin. Over time, the enamel starts getting thinner due to brushing, and the yellowish dentin shows through.

Medications

Discoloration of teeth can also be caused by certain medications. These medications include tetracycline and doxycycline. Chemotherapy and neck or head radiation might also cause teeth discoloration.

Trauma

Tooth color can also change if you get hit in the mouth. This is because the teeth react to an injury by plopping down more dentin (the darker and softer layer under the enamel).

Use of Tobacco

Tar and nicotine, two chemicals found in tobacco, are the primary causes of staining of teeth. While tar is naturally dark, nicotine is colorless but, if mixed with oxygen it makes the surface of the teeth yellow.

Food And Drink

Coffee, tea, and red wine contain intense color pigments known as chromogens. These chromogens get attached to the enamel of the teeth and cause a stain in your teeth.

Teeth Whitening Options

You can get back your bright smile in four ways:

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste helps in discarding the stain from the surface of the teeth through mild abrasives that scrub the teeth. The toothpaste is safe for your teeth when it has an "ADA Seal Of Acceptance" for stain removal.

In-Office Bleaching

Also known as chairside bleaching, in-office bleaching can be done in just one dental visit. In this procedure, the dentist applies a protective gel to the gums or a rubber shield to protect them. Then, bleach is applied to the teeth.

At-Home Bleaching From the Dentist

In this procedure, the dentist gives a custom tray. Then, they provide instructions on using the custom tray for a specific time. It is the best option for people who prefer the whitening treatment to be done at home. The results show within a few days or even a few weeks.

Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products

These products are available online as well as in drugstores. However, the concentration level is less in these products compared to what dentists use in in-office bleaching. Thus, it is recommended to consult your dentist before using one for yourself or look for the "ADA Seal Of Acceptance" before purchasing them.

Get the brighter, whiter, and sparkling teeth you always wanted by consulting your dentist today! Ideal Smiles offers expert teeth whitening procedures for you. Book your appointment now.