Two Ways to Treat Stained or Discolored Teeth
There’s no question that teeth whitening is the biggest concern many people have about the look of their teeth. As a result, there are tons of products and options on the market. At California Dental Group, we want to cover two of the them: Professional teeth whitening versus at home treatments.
What is professional teeth whitening?
Sometimes referred to as teeth bleaching, teeth whitening is simple, painless, and can change the color of the enamel of your teeth. It’s actually a great way to make your smile even brighter. If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening, your next step is to call your dentist. We can evaluate your teeth and let you know what your options are. With certain stains, a veneer or crown is the only way to get white teeth again but generally teeth whitening is effective on most issues.
Remember that teeth whitening on works on enamel. As a result, you may need to have your old fillings and crowns evaluated. If they’re a significantly different color, then we may need to make some changes to your restorations after your teeth are whitening. Keep in mind as well that teeth whitening isn’t permanent. However, they generally only need to be touched up every few years.
When you come to us for whitening, you’ll results immediately. In a single visit that lasts anywhere from a half an hour to an hour, we can get your teeth whitened. We’ll protect your gums and then apply a bleaching solution right to your teeth.
What are at home teeth whitening treatments?
There are a number of over the counter teeth whitening products out there. Generally speaking, they’re much less effective than having your teeth professionally cleaned. They’re also generally not approved by the American Dental Association, which gives some people pause. Most over-the-counter options are gels that are put into a mouthguard that you create to match your teeth.
You’ll then wear the tray once or twice a day for about a half an hour. In most cases it takes a few weeks to start seeing results, depending on how serious the staining was and how white the patient wants their teeth to be.
Why do teeth get stained or discolored
The older we get, the more our outer layer of tooth enamel is worn away. Eventually it will reveal a shade that’s darker white or even yellow. Some of the coloring of our teeth also comes from inside the teeth, which can become darker as time goes on.
Of course, there are also lifestyle habits that can yellow and discolor teeth, including drinking coffee, tea, and red wine, or smoking cigarettes. Some adults have discolored teeth thanks to medications they took when they were children, or because of excessive fluoridation during tooth development.
If you have questions about your options, reach out to California Dental Group today!
