The most important aspect of teeth is their health. Once you’ve taken care of that, you will want to ensure that you maintain white teeth. If they are currently discolored, you can take steps to achieve a whiter smile with a professional teeth whitening treatment.
The color of your teeth are determined by three factors:
Genetics
Some people are naturally born with whiter teeth, while others have teeth that are not so white. You also could have individual teeth in your mouth that are differently colored than surrounding teeth.
Even if you were born with naturally white teeth, you could be genetically more susceptible to developing stained teeth caused by lifestyle choices or the consumption of certain medications.
Age
Like every other aspect of appearance, age plays an important role in determining the current whiteness of your teeth. Naturally, your teeth will experience some wear and tear over the years. Although the outer tooth enamel is naturally white, it can become worn away, exposing the dentin layer underneath, which has more of an off-white or grayish color.
Lifestyle and Oral Hygiene
Your teeth are exposed to everything that you eat and drink. Dark-colored beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine can deposit substances that discolor your teeth over time. Smoking tobacco is also a known cause of stained teeth due to the nicotine it contains, which has a pronounced yellowing effect on the teeth.
When To Start Whitening
For most people, a good rule of thumb is to have the color of the teeth match the whites of their eyes.
Ultimately, it comes down to how you feel about the appearance of your teeth and smile. Are you satisfied? Or would you like to whiten your smile several shades?
Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening
- Professional supervision
- Unmatched ability to whiten the teeth many shades
- Less post-treatment teeth sensitivity
How do teeth whitening products work?
Many people choose to buy over-the-counter products to whiten their teeth. Whitening strips, gels, and trays often lead to disappointing results for a number of reasons, one of which is that the strength of the whitening agent cannot match that of a professional product.
Scientifically speaking, teeth whitening treatments work through the conversion of double carbon bonds into single carbon bonds through the use of a whitening agent like hydrogen peroxide.
A professional teeth whitening treatment involves the application of a peroxide-based gel to discolored teeth. The whitening agent breaks up the stains, leading to a significantly whiter smile. A special lamp may also be used to intensify the results.
How often can I have my teeth whitened?
Unfortunately, teeth do not always stay white simply because you undergo a whitening treatment. The same factors that led to the initial staining can again cause stains. So avoid beverages like coffee, tea and red wine. If you smoke, stop.
How often you whiten your teeth is mostly a personal thing. Consult your dentist if you are experiencing sensitivity, as you may be advised to reduce the frequency of your teeth whitening treatments.
Thanks for your support!
– Dr. Houlik
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