Most people have some degree of self-consciousness about their appearance. The feeling is even stronger when a feature of the face is involved, which is common. For many, a negative self-image is rooted in the poor quality of their smile, often due to teeth discoloration. This condition can lower self-confidence, impair interpersonal relationships and basically diminish one’s quality of life all around. In this post, we’ll look at problems associated with tooth color and provide a simple and effective solution.
Tooth Discoloration
Having brilliant white teeth is the ideal in our culture. When you have such a smile it’s an unspoken sign of health, success and happiness; when you don’t, it’s the opposite. You’ll notice that we said the smile cue is “unspoken,” because it’s definitely not unnoticed. In fact, studies show that a person’s smile is the first thing we notice when meeting them for the first time. In short: Your smile is your first impression.
Since smiles are so key to the way people perceive us, it makes perfect sense that we all want to have great ones. For many of us, however, it’s an impossible goal through typical means. For any number of reasons, our teeth have become stained or yellowed and we can’t deal with the problem through our own means. Let’s begin our conversation with a deeper dive into the facts about tooth color. The piece below provides the details:
Tooth discoloration falls into three different categories: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
Extrinsic. With extrinsic tooth discoloration, it’s likely that the stains are only affecting the tooth enamel, or the surface of the tooth. The most common causes of extrinsic stains include:
– food
– beverages
– tobaccoIntrinsic. This type of stain is located within the tooth, which makes it more resistant to over-the-counter whitening products. It often appears grayish. Examples of intrinsic stains include:
– certain medications
– trauma or injury to a tooth
– tooth decay
– too much fluoride
– genetics
As you see, there are numerous causes of tooth discoloration, including just getting older. The good news is there is a quick, safe and simple solution to give your smile a massive color upgrade.
Professional Teeth Whitening
The hands-down best method to whiten teeth is a professional procedure from a dentist. The following describes what you can expect at an in-office teeth whitening treatment:
Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening. Your dental team will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment, and will supervise it if you are. First the dental team will put a rubber shield or a gel on your gums to protect them. They will then apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits into your mouth like a mouthguard.
The ‘active ingredient’ in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter. Read more at Dental Health…
Depending on their preferred method of treatment and your specific circumstances, your dentist may recommend either an in-office or at-home whitening option. Both methods deliver a professional result that will have your smile gleaming.
Avoid Over-The-Counter Kits
You should avoid over-the-counter, bleach at-home kits due to the potential side effects. The article linked above also presents important information about this potential concern:
What about home whitening kits?
There are many home whitening kits available, including paint-on whiteners and strips. How effective these are
depends on the amount of whitening agent they contain.Home kits are cheaper but they are not always assessed for safety and tend to be more acidic. So there is a chance that these products could damage your teeth and gums. Because tooth whitening is a complicated procedure we advise that you always talk to your dentist before starting the treatment.
Regulations covering home kits vary from country to country. Kits sold in Europe cannot legally contain more than 0.1% peroxide and this is too little to be effective. In other countries where stronger peroxide is allowed, home whitening is more common. But you need to be careful as some kits sold over the internet may contain mild acids and abrasives. Read more at Dental Health…
Clearly, your teeth whitening procedure needs to be handled by a dentist. Dr. Jolene Dague is a trusted expert for teeth whitening in Davenport, Iowa. At Dague Dental Solutions, you’ll get a remarkable smile transformation that you’ll love. Get in touch with us today to schedule your teeth whitening appointment. Call our office at (563) 386-9770 or reach us through the contact form on our website. We look forward to creating the smile of your dreams.