What to Know about Teeth Whitening & How It Works

There is nothing more aesthetically appealing than having a complete set of pearly white teeth. Not only will it give you a perfect smile, but it will also boost your overall confidence. For this reason, many individuals aim to get their teeth whitened. The good thing is that dentistry has become such a booming industry with various dental services readily available in the market, from preventative to restorative down to cosmetic dentistry.

In this article, we’ll share what you need to know about teeth whitening and how it works.

What teeth whitening is

Teeth whitening is a form of cosmetic dentistry that involves lightening the color of your teeth due to intrinsic and extrinsic stains; a dentist or a dental therapist usually carries out this procedure.

In some cases, a dentist will create a mouthguard and instruct you to wear it along with a bleaching gel used for two to four weeks. Another type is laser whitening, which is a more advanced dental treatment using a bleaching product painted onto your teeth, and a laser shone on them to activate the whitening. Other teeth whitening products are toothpaste and oral rinse, gels used in trays, whitening strips, whitening chewing gum, and whitening paint-on gel.

Ultimately, teeth whitening is a popular form of cosmetic dentistry due to its quick, non-invasive, and affordable treatment.

Top tips in addressing teeth staining or discoloration

Tooth discoloration is one of the most common dental problems that people today face. Take note of the following causes:

• Extrinsic stains: These are caused by external factors, such as dark-colored foods and beverages. For this reason, be sure to avoid drinks like artificial juices, coffee, tea, wine, and flavored alcohol, as well as foods like candies, certain fruits, and those with coloring.

• Intrinsic stains: These are formed in the interior of teeth brought by trauma, aging, exposure to minerals during tooth formation, and even excessive fluoride ingestion. As they occur below the surfaces of teeth, they can be hard to correct. For instance, your enamel inevitably thins as you get older, and this allows more dentin exposure and causes your teeth to appear naturally yellow.

• Other factors: Some of the biggest culprits for tooth staining are tobacco, certain medications, and poor oral health care. For these reasons, be sure to quit smoking if you don’t want your teeth to stain further. Also, be wary of certain medications that can cause tooth discoloration later on in life, especially if you have been taking them for many years. Finally, observe proper oral hygiene to prevent tooth discoloration by brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily.

When confronted with teeth discoloration brought by the factors mentioned above, it is a good idea to go for cosmetic dentistry, particularly teeth whitening!

Conclusion

At this point, you now know what teeth whitening is and how it works. Be sure to consider the valuable tips mentioned above to avoid both intrinsic and extrinsic stains and prevent other factors from discoloring your teeth.

Teeth whitening treatment can be your best bet if you are faced with teeth staining or teeth discoloration problems. Ultimately, having a complete set of sparkling white teeth can give you the perfect smile that you so deserve!

Are you looking for teeth whitening services? We’ve got you covered! We’re a dental house in Ann Arbor, MI, providing dental services like preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery. If you’re looking for a local dentist in your area, get in touch with us today for a free consultation!