Good oral hygiene habits may not be enough to keep your teeth white.

Several factors can cause teeth to change in colour over time. If you’re hoping to make your teeth color brighter, you are not alone. Thankfully, you can improve the appearance of your teeth with whitening procedures offered in our dental office.

What triggers teeth discoloration?

A person’s teeth change colour for a myriad of reasons.

• Food. Berries, tomato sauce, as well as hard candies, can make your teeth go from white to less bright.
• Drinks. Colored drinks such as soda, red wine, and coffee can also leave stains on your teeth.
• Cigarettes. Nicotine and tar in tobacco will leave stubborn stains on your teeth.
• Trauma. Your teeth can appear to change colour after experiencing trauma or pressure. The teeth react by laying more dentin. Dentin is the layer of the teeth that is darker in colour.
• Age. Aging is also another factor causing your teeth to lose their bright spark.

What is a teeth whitening procedure?

Teeth whitening is the process of making your teeth colour lighter. This procedure requires the expertise of dental professionals. If you head to a salon because they offer teeth whitening for a low price, you may be disappointed in the outcome as a thorough cleaning prior to whitening is critical. Talk to your dentist about your options and make sure there are no other concerns that may affect your oral health

What Options Can You Choose From?

Your dentist would be able to determine if you are a good candidate for a teeth whitening procedure. Advertising will tell you the simplest teeth whitening option is a “whitening” toothpaste you can get from the grocery store. However, most people will find they never get much whitening power from a toothpaste.

Here are other treatments that can help make your smile brighter:

• Dental office bleaching. This procedure usually requires only one dental visit. Your dentist first applies a gel to your gums to serve as protection. Afterward, the bleach is applied. Lasers are used as well to enhance the effects of the whitening agent.
• Teeth whitening kit. You can also bleach your teeth from home using a kit. You still have to see your dentist for this. First, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth to create your own mouthguard. You will need to wear this mouthguard at home along with a bleaching gel. Many whitening gels can be left in overnight.

After getting a teeth whitening procedure, you might experience heightened tooth sensitivity. This should be temporary. In the unlikely event that it persists, be sure to contact your dentist.

At Chinook Village Dental, we make sure to discuss with patients their treatment options, along with results they can expect. We don’t over-promise. Instead, we work closely with our patients to ensure they’re happy with the final outcome of the treatment.

Note, teeth whitening procedures do not guarantee crystal white teeth, especially for those with severe stains caused by antibiotics. However, they can help make your teeth color lighter.

Want to learn more about teeth whitening procedures? Send us your questions.

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