Do you want a bright white smile? Stains and discolorations cause a lot of people to feel insecure about their smiles. Has insecurity about your teeth hold you back in business or your personal life? It’s hard to muster the confidence to try new things and meet new people when you’re busy hiding imperfections in your smile. Professional teeth whitening can quickly improve your smile. Erase those stains and restore that bright white smile. Get the confidence you need to face the world with pride and excitement.
Teeth discolor or stain for a variety of reasons. Common causes include poor oral hygiene; darkly colored drinks, such as coffee, tea, and red wine; antibiotics; thin enamel; and smoking. Depending on the type of stain, teeth whitening may prove effective for removing stains and restoring your sparkling bright white smile. Different types of stains require different ways to a brighter smile. Get an appropriate and safer way to whiten your teeth from your dentist.
Types of teeth whitening products
In office bleaching with a light brightens teeth by dehydration, and Dr. Fondriest does not believe dehydrating teeth is a healthy practice. Heat lamp bleaching treatments can also cause negative side effects, like gum and pulpal irritation or tooth sensitivity. Dr. Fondriest offers at home teeth whitening kits that he has found to be safe and effective.
We use a product called Nite White Excel 3, a liquid whitener gel that will whiten your teeth as you sleep. This home teeth whitening gel comes in carbamide peroxide concentrations from 7.5% to 22% strengths. While you may see whitening results overnight, the maximum effect usually requires nightly bleaching for 30-60 days. We also offer a daytime whitening kit for those with sensitive teeth. This comes in hydrogen peroxide concentrations from 7.5% to 9.5%. Many patients who’ve not had sufficient results with over the counter bleaching kits find the more potent, dentist prescribed kits extremely effective.
Teeth whitening pens have short term results. They basically are quickly dehydrating the teeth with concentrated carbamide peroxide. They are not removing the organic colorants in the teeth.
Achieving a bright white smile with harsh stains
Intrinsic stains, or extrinsic stains that don’t resolve with external bleaching with normal peroxide gels. They can be addressed with dental veneers, cosmetic bonding, or all-ceramic crowns. While these restorative dental procedures are more invasive than external bleaching, they can correct other cosmetic issues, such as odd spacing of teeth, chips, and slight misalignments.
Intrinsic Stains
Many of the tougher stains to remove are actually intrinsic, or inside teeth. Fluorosis, for instance, is caused by swallowing fluoride during childhood, when teeth are growing. It causes white, horizontal lines to form in enamel. Another example is tetracycline staining. Medications, such as antibiotics, contain tetracycline that can cause teeth to discolor from within. These intrinsic stains make it difficult to achieve a bright white smile. These stains are usually not affected by external teeth whitening systems.
Another common problem, thin enamel may allow the yellowish hue of underlying dentin to show. Sometimes a person’s dentin is naturally dark, while other times a person’s dentin may become stained. Either way, thin enamel can give teeth a discolored appearance.
Extrinsic Stains
External teeth whitening, or bleaching, can remove most extrinsic stains. These are stains formed on the surface of tooth enamel. Pigments in foods, beverages, and tobacco cause extrinsic stains. sometimes brushing with baking soda will help.
How long before I see results with professional whitening:
After a consultation to make sure your tooth color changes are from extrinsic causes (meaning foods, drinks, and other products that come in contact with the outside of your teeth) you may decide to whiten your teeth using Nite White Excel 3. Nite White is a gel that works while you sleep. You may see results as soon as a few days but it may take a couple of months.
Most patients see distinct results in the first few days. Continue to use Nite White for one to two months for the full effect. Day White Excel 3 uses a gentler whitening agent and is a good choice for patients with sensitive teeth.
You Might Avoid Those Stain Causers
You will not need to avoid staining agents, particularly if you are open to whitening touch ups in the future. However, if your goal is to keep up your bright white smile, it may be a good idea to limit your contact with these things. What do they include? Tobacco, for instance, is a major contributor to staining. Cut out the tobacco habit and you will protect your smile. Other factors tend to include highly pigmented foods like berries, tea, and coffee. Avoiding these types of stain causers is always helpful.
Keep Your Smile Clean
It sounds simple because it is – it is also extremely effective. However, daily hygiene is only effective if you are doing it right. So take note of the following suggestions for good dental cleaning habits:
- You need to use a toothbrush that is marked as having “soft” bristles to thoroughly clean your teeth without damaging them
- Avoid abrasive toothpastes
- You will need to brush at least two times a day for two minutes each. For best results, rinse your mouth after each meal, wait thirty minutes, and brush
- Replace your toothbrush once every three months or sooner if it begins to look worn
- Avoid staining foods, drinks, and especially tobacco, as they can all cause discoloration, which ages your smile. Coffee, dark teas, red wine, and berries are some of the most staining drinks and foods. Any drinks high in sugar content can also be problematic.
- You need to floss properly once a day to make sure you are cleaning every tiny nook and cranny. This way your smile looks dazzling long after your teeth whiten
How to maintain that bright white smile
- Drink water, frequently. It helps rinse bacteria and food particles off your teeth between brushings. It makes your mouth more effective at breaking down the things you eat.
- Remember, sugar is the leading cause of cavities. Bacteria feed on sugar, which can then cause erosion to the enamel of your teeth. Limit your sugar intake, and don’t neglect nightly brushing and flossing.
Learn more about getting a bright white smile with teeth bleaching
If you are interested in getting your teeth whiter or other cosmetic dental changes, please schedule a consultation, please call our office today at 847-234-0517.