What is teeth whitening?
Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they see you, so it’s especially important to be happy with how your teeth look. If you’re concerned about tooth stains or yellowing, teeth whitening may be the solution.
Teeth whitening is the most commonly requested procedure in cosmetic dentistry. It’s a simple treatment that can dramatically transform your smile and boost your confidence.
Why would I need teeth whitening?
Many factors affect the whiteness of your smile, including:
Age
Your teeth naturally become more yellow over time. This happens because the hard, white outer layer of your teeth, called the enamel, gets thinner after years of brushing.
The layer beneath your enamel is a yellowish tissue called dentin. Thinning enamel causes the yellow dentin to show through.
Food and drink
Some of your favorite foods and beverages may be staining culprits. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries all contain deep color pigments that attach to the white part of your tooth. Staining can occur if you forget to clean your teeth right after eating or drinking these foods and beverages.
Tobacco use
Tobacco use affects many aspects of your health, including your teeth and gums. Tobacco contains tar and nicotine, two chemicals that create stubborn stains.
While tar is naturally dark, nicotine is colorless until it mixes with oxygen. Then, it turns a yellow color that stains your teeth and other surfaces.
How does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening involves using bleaching agents that break stains down into smaller particles. This makes the color appear less concentrated, leading to brighter, whiter teeth.
However, teeth whitening isn’t right for everyone. Certain stains may not respond to teeth whitening. Additionally, whitening won’t work on veneers, crowns, or fillings. It’s important to seek professional advice from the team at Sharon Springs Dental to determine the best teeth whitening approach for you.
What are my options for teeth whitening?
The team at Sharon Springs Dental offers a variety of teeth-whitening options to suit your needs. They provide in-office teeth whitening as well as professional products to use in the comfort of your own home. If neither of these products is right for you, they may recommend veneers.
After examining your teeth and discussing your particular concerns and desired effect, the team at Sharon Springs Dental may recommend Opalescence™ Boost™ in-office teeth whitening or Philips Zoom in-office or at-home treatment. In-office treatments create noticeable whiter teeth in one day, while at-home teeth whitening can take a week or two.
To achieve a bright, dazzling smile, call Sharon Springs Dental or request an appointment online today.
