In recent years, the teeth whitening industry has exploded and now more individuals than ever are seeking out home and professional treatments in order to completely reinvent their smile. Even though everyone wishes to have bright teeth and a vibrant smile, not all whitening treatments are equal and many may even cause serious damage to the teeth and gums. For those that are currently struggling with a smile that has become dingy and discolored, it is important to stay aware of some of the causes of tooth discoloration, how whitening treatments work, and which treatment options will be the most effective for their own unique situation.
Over the years, some of the habits that individuals engage in and foods that are eaten every single day will gradually begin to stain one's teeth. Everything from a cup of coffee in the morning to a glass of wine at night will transform the appearance of one's teeth. Along with some of these tooth-staining foods, different tobacco products, medications, and even genetics can lead to a dingy smile. There are two main kinds of staining however, and only one can be effectively treated with a basic teeth whitening system.
Intrinsic staining takes place deep in the teeth and can come about due to trauma to the face, diseased pulp, or a family history of slightly darker teeth. This type of staining cannot usually be lifted with a teeth whitening treatment, and patients will need the use of various other dental appliances such as veneers and crowns. Extrinsic staining is much more typical and lies merely on the outer dentin and enamel layers of the teeth. This kind of discoloration will often respond wonderfully to most professional teeth whitening systems and procedures.
A large majority of whitening products are solutions that can be placed directly onto the upper and lower teeth. These solutions are usually based on peroxide that will release oxygen molecules deep into the enamel and dentin layers. The molecules will then draw out the stains and brighten the teeth. If care is not taken though, these procedures can cause damage to the enamel as well as the gums, and that is why patients should only ever seek out professional whitening services.
For some of the most advanced systems, a specialty light is also used in order to activate the solution at a much quicker rate. This will allow the appointment to take place in a shorter period of time, lowering the chances that the solution will unfavorably affect the enamel or the gums in any way.
No one should ever continue to struggle with a discolored smile that they are not satisfied with. More patients than ever are turning to professional whitening treatments in order to completely transform their smile.
At United Dental Care, our Culver City teeth whitening expert can provide you with different options to bring luster back to your teeth.