The best natural ways to keep your teeth white are everyday healthy habits, including:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes
- Cleaning between your teeth once a day
- Limiting foods that stain your teeth, like coffee, tea, and red wine.
- Avoiding smoking or using tobacco
- Regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings
Over time your pearly white teeth may not be as bright as they once were. If your teeth are stained, yellowing, and you don’t present the brilliant smile you once did, perhaps professional teeth whitening is the answer.
Why Do Teeth Get Discolored?
There are numerous reasons your teeth may discolor over time. Among those are:
- Food and Drink
- Tobacco Use
- Age
- Trauma
- Medications
Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). Bleaches reach the dentin several layers deep in each tooth and break stains into smaller pieces, thus diminishing the appearance of stain.
Note, however, that whitening does not work on ALL tooth stains. Certain types of discoloration will not respond to bleaching like others. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all. Additionally, artificial teeth, such as veneers, crowns, fillings, or implants won’t improve through whitening treatments, nor will tooth discoloration resulting from injury to your teeth or that caused by medications. For these reasons, it’s important to consult with your dentist at Layton Lakes Dental Care to see what works best for you.
Teeth whitening is only recommended with healthy gums and teeth. This means that regular recommended cleanings are being done and all treatment needs are being addressed prior to whitening. There are several options for whitening available. Don’t waste money on over-the-counter options that won’t give you the results you’re looking for. Come see us and get a whiter, brighter smile today!