Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON for your teeth to lose their luster over time, which is why so many people are interested in teeth whitening!


Teeth Get Yellow For A Number Of Reasons

Just like hair turns grey over time, our teeth will yellow over time, which is part of the aging process. Our tooth enamel begins to thin due to everyday wear and tear. The yellow appearance is due to the dentin, which is the layer beneath the enamel, being exposed or showing more of the tooth. However there All About You Dental Care can offer you teeth whitening that will combat the yellowing of your teeth.

Some factors that can cause teeth to yellow other than aging, include:

  • Tobacco use
  • Food and drink
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Dental trauma
  • Certain medications

A change in your lifestyle habits can help to prevent your teeth from becoming more yellow. Drinking less acidic beverages and quitting tobacco use are a few ways to change some habits. Of course, the most important way would be keeping up on your oral hygiene and frequent visits to your dentist for cleanings.

The Way You Whiten Your Teeth Depends On The Stain

There are two different types of stain that can appear on your tooth surface. Surface, or “extrinsic” stains, appear on the surface of the tooth, usually caused by smoking and diet. “Intrinsic” stains happen inside the tooth, being deeper.

Surface stains on your teeth can be removed by using a whitening toothpaste. These kinds of toothpastes usually contain special abrasives that gently polish the teeth as well certain chemicals that can help break down stains. Sometimes these toothpastes can be tough on tooth enamel and some should be used temporarily, so make sure to always read labels when using them.

The second form of stain, intrinsic stains, can’t be helped by whitening toothpastes. For you to achieve a brighter smile, you’ll need to actually change the color of your teeth by using a bleaching agent. The bleaching agents most products use are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which break stains into smaller pieces, making their color less concentrated and leaving your teeth much whiter! Some common ways to bleach your teeth are whitening strips and gels, tray-based tooth whiteners and in-office whitening services supervised by a dentist.

 

We Would Love To See You At Our Office

At our practice, we have two options for teeth whitening. We have teeth whitening strips you can take home same day which will give you that white smile you have been dreaming of in half the time or less than other whitening options. We will monitor carefully over time to ensure the process is done safely and efficacy.

Or, if you’re looking to use a tray-based whitening system, we can customize your trays to exactly fit your teeth! This will protect the soft tissues of your mouth, especially your gums, as well as ensure maximum contact between your teeth and the whitening solution.

Either way, we’d love to see you, whether that’s for a cleaning, checkup, or whitening treatment!

Have any questions? Call us or let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading our blog!