Teeth Whitening An Overview
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, providing a quick, painless, and economical smile makeover – in about an hour! Teeth whitening is an easy way to restore the confidence and youthfulness of your smile.
At Proud Smiles in Sandy Springs, Dr. Patel offers three convenient options for teeth whitening: in-office Boost teeth whitening, an at-home custom whitening kit, and KoR intensive at-home or in-office deep whitening. Each offers results far superior to over-the-counter options with the added benefit of enamel protection and reduced sensitivity.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth discolor because of a variety of different things. Some we have no control over. Genetics means that you may be naturally disposed to having teeth that are more off-white than others. If you injure your tooth due to trauma or a hit, the nerves and pulp inside your tooth can die. It’ll have a gray appearance if this happens.
Our lifestyle and eating habits play a big part in tooth discoloration. If you’re a smoker or frequently drink things like coffee or dark colas, they discolor your teeth over time. The more you do these things, the more discolored your teeth become. Even if you whiten them, they’re more likely to darken again if you continue the behaviors.
As we get older, our teeth naturally darken. We use our teeth daily, so age takes its toll on them. The bright white outer layer, called the enamel, starts to thin, exposing the dentin layer that’s underneath. This is a naturally off-white color, and it starts to be the prominent one that shows when you smile.
Certain medications impact the color of your smile as well. So can taking too much fluoride while your teeth grow and develop as a child. While these stains are harder to take care of, we offer options for any staining you may have on your teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter
Stores offer many types of products that claim to whiten teeth. It may be tempting to try these products however you are most likely wasting your money, and some products may not be safe. For the best teeth whitening results, it’s best to let a professional whiten your teeth. Store-bought whitening toothpaste, strips, and gels can take months or sometimes longer to see results if any at all.
And that is if you apply them correctly and use them correctly. It is much safer and more effective to visit your dentist for teeth whitening. They can customize the treatment to meet your unique needs and make sure you are safe during treatment. A common side effect of teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. Professional teeth whitening not only maximizes results but also takes steps to reduce sensitivity.