Stained teeth can be an effect of lifestyle choices such as smoking, or it can result from aging and genetics. Teeth whitening offers a solution to help reverse these effects to enhance your smile and the whiteness of your teeth. Here is some key information you need to know about teeth bleaching and stain removal:
What Causes Teeth Stains?
Individuals get discolored teeth from poor oral hygiene, eating staining foods, smoking cigarettes, or drinking darkly pigmented drinks, including coffee. Age may cause discoloration of your teeth as the inner layer of your teeth (dentin) yellows while the outer layer (enamel) wears down. As your enamel thins, the dentin layer becomes more pronounced, making your teeth appear yellow.
What Is Involved in the Teeth Whitening Process?
Teeth whitening is done both at home and at a dental clinic. Dentists apply a gel or chemical solution to give patients whiter teeth during their appointments. Some whiteners use chemical activation and do not require heat or ultraviolet (UV) light. In-office whitening solutions use fluoride and potassium nitrate to whiten teeth, decrease tooth sensitivity, protect against cavities, and strengthen tooth enamel to improve oral health.
Your healthcare provider may also offer a home whitening solution that gradually whitens your teeth. These techniques use a custom-fitted tray to hold a whitening gel against your teeth. Dentists will provide a treatment plan for when and how long to use the gel concentrations to achieve optimal results in a short period of time.
Can Teeth Whitening Remove All Stains?
Professionals use teeth bleaching to remove extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains affect the enamel and are caused by food, drinks, and tobacco use. They develop gradually over time and do not affect the tooth structure. As extrinsic stains occur on the surface, they can be removed by teeth-bleaching treatments.
Intrinsic stains affect the dentin layer and result from aging, medication, and excessive fluoride use during childhood. Whitening treatments can lighten these stains. Due to their invasive nature, dentists may offer cosmetic solutions to better manage intrinsic stains.
What Are the Benefits of Professional Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening enhances a smile by removing stains and giving teeth a brighter, more aesthetically pleasing color. Your dentist can provide recommendations for aftercare to enhance long-term results. Avoiding tobacco products, limiting consumption of staining foods and drinks, and brushing and flossing regularly can help maintain your whitened teeth.
Dentists use higher concentrations of bleaching agents compared to at-home kits, which allows them to reduce tooth sensitivity while helping you achieve enhanced results. This minimizes the risk of irritation when the bleaching agent comes into contact with your gums. Shorter teeth-whitening appointments offer convenience to patients with busy schedules, allowing them to achieve quicker results with fewer dental treatments.
Schedule a Whitening Appointment Today
Removing stains on your teeth is easier with whitening treatments from a professional or an at-home kit. Dentists offer long-term solutions to improve your smile and the overall aesthetics of your teeth. Contact a dental practice to learn more about whitening treatments and how they will cater to your needs.
