Teeth Whitening Q&A
What causes my teeth to appear yellow or stained?
Over time, your teeth naturally lose some of their brightness as a result of foods, drinks, and even the aging process. If you drink coffee, tea, or dark-colored sodas, over time this pigment attaches to your enamel and stains it. The same is true for tobacco stains. When you smoke, nicotine and tar stick to your teeth and stain the surface.
As a natural part of aging, the dentin — the inner part of a tooth that’s a yellowish color — becomes more visible through thinning enamel. Additionally, certain medications or trauma can lead to darker-colored teeth.
How does teeth whitening brighten my teeth?
Professional teeth whitening products contain advanced whitening agents that are safe for use on your teeth. These professional treatments contain a higher concentration of effective whitening agents than over-the-counter products, which means better results for you. Dr. Ocharoen makes customized whitening trays that fit snugly over your teeth and hold the whitening agents, typically a gel.
This gel penetrates the surface stains on your teeth and breaks them up so your teeth appear whiter and brighter. Some of the gel penetrates into your tooth to lighten the dentin, as well. You can opt for in-office teeth whitening, which often only takes a single treatment, or at-home whitening, so you can whiten your teeth gradually during the day or overnight. Both treatments are safe, noninvasive, and painless.
What type of stains does teeth whitening remove?
Professional teeth whitening can brighten most of the stains on your teeth, including:
- Coffee and tea
- Sodas
- Red wine
- Tobacco
While teeth whitening works on most stains, it may not be as effective if your teeth are very dark or have gray-colored stains. Or, if your dentin was darkened by an injury or medications, whitening may not be as effective as getting porcelain veneers, which cover the surface of your teeth.
Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?
If you’re interested in whitening your smile, Dr. Ocharoen first examines your teeth and makes sure your teeth and gums are healthy before recommending a whitening solution. As long as everything is healthy and you don’t have any signs of gum disease, you may be an ideal candidate for in-office or at-home whitening treatments.
Take the first step toward a whiter, more beautiful smile by calling to schedule a consultation or booking online, today.