Teeth Whitening Options
Want to start off the new year with a bright smile? While many people this month have a full schedule with trips to the gym, eating healthier, and ramping up their beauty routines with moisturizers and brighteners, don’t forget that your teeth need some new year’s resolution effort as well.
There are only two options for teeth whitening: at-home remedies and in-office bleaching. If you are considering whitening your teeth or have tried all the natural methods on the internet and are looking at different options, then continue reading to learn more.
Why Do Teeth Get Discolored Over Time?
Your teeth are very porous, so anything that you put into your mouth that is strongly pigmented will cause the natural color of your teeth to darken. These stains won’t leave unless you actively remove them, and you guessed it, the main culprits of yellow teeth are coffee, tea, and red wine. Since these beverages and other deeply colored foods and drink, have such a dark coloring, the white outer layer of our teeth (enamel) can become stained over a prolonged period.
In addition to what we consume, aging naturally wears down the enamel. As we brush our teeth on a daily basis over the course of many years, the soft yellow inside of the tooth (dentin) starts to show through the enamel, and that is why many basic whitening remedies fail to brighten our smile.
How Whitening Works
Whitening products work by breaking up surface stains on our teeth which make the color less concentrated. Bleaching methods, which include strips, toothpaste, and gels contain a bleach called hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Treatments that you buy in the store will only contain 3% to 20% peroxide and means that it will take much longer to whiten your teeth, but reduces the risk of harming oneself. In-office treatments include 15% to 43% peroxide, and underneath your doctor’s supervision, remove stains much faster and are much healthier for your teeth. This is because adequately formulated gels absorb into the teeth and gently pull stains out through the pores, and when used with appropriate materials, guidelines, and care, your teeth naturally remineralize and rehydrate your smile instead of leaving it dry and with a spotty treatment.
Is Whitening Safe?
Many people become concerned that during treatment their teeth can become tender which is a normal sensation after any whitening, but just as professional service provides faster and safer results, in-office treatments are also created to reduce pain and sensitivity. The reason that the teeth become sensitive is that we naturally have a buildup of a mucus-like coating on our enamel that protects the nerve endings in each of the pores that make up a tooth. The bleach used in whitening has to remove this surface layer so that the stains deep inside the tooth can be removed. The downside to this, however, is that the nerve endings are left exposed and create that sensitive feeling that most individuals have come to associate with whitening strips, gels, and heavy duty treatments. The good news is that your doctor can often provide products that reduce your sensitivity, so make sure to your ask about these options next time you go in for a whitening!
Is Whitening Right for You?
While discolored teeth can sometimes be a cause of an unhealthy mouth, whitening isn’t always a necessary treatment. However, a whiter smile can lead to healthier teeth and become a great confidence booster for an affordable price. So remember that next time you’re looking through the drugstore aisles to choose between all of the at-home treatments out there, make sure to check in with our office to schedule a free consultation with our friendly front office team! Call (303) 688-2229 today for a better investment and a healthier smile.