Everyone strives to have a bright, healthy smile. Unfortunately, a nice, white smile can fade as time goes on, and we’re left with undesirable tooth discoloration. Since there are so many things that can lead to discolored teeth, it can be hard to avoid them all. Luckily, tooth whitening products and procedures have improved over the years, and there are many ways that people can restore their teeth to their original color. While over the counter products are plentiful these days, they don’t always provide the best results. In-office teeth whitening is one of the best cosmetic dentistry procedures available today because it provides dramatic, long lasting results.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth tend to get darker and lose their white shine as we age. There are many ways in which teeth become discolored. They include various foods and drinks, genetics, antibiotics, smoking cigarettes and different tooth diseases. Some of the most common tooth-staining foods and drinks are dark berries, like blackberries and blueberries, sweet snacks, like hard candies and colored popsicles, red wine, soda, coffee and tea.
Teeth Whitening at the Dentist
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, and many local dentists often offer this service. The in-office procedure involves applying a series of strong bleaching gel to the teeth for periods of about 15 to 30 minutes. Sometimes a light is used to speed up the process. This procedure allows the dentist to check the results of each application of bleaching gel to see how many more treatments are needed to reach the desired results. After the treatment is complete, teeth can become up to eight shades brighter.
Benefits of In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedures
There are numerous benefits to having teeth whitening at the dentist as opposed to using at-home products. First of all, in-office procedures ensure the protection of your gums throughout the treatment. The dentist applies either a rubber protector or protective gel coating to the gums before the bleaching gel is applied to keep gums safe. Teeth whitening at the dentist also provides faster and more dramatic results. Teeth can be whitened with a single procedure, and teeth can become several shades brighter than they were originally.
It is easy for teeth to become discolored over time, but fortunately whitening treatments can reverse the effects of the various causes of tooth discoloration. If you’ve tried over-the-counter whitening products with poor results, an in-office procedure may be your best bet. A single fast and easy procedure can restore the white smile you used to have. Check out this site for more.