Smiles Are Valuable

Statistics reveal that we place a high value on our smiles. According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey:

-Virtually all adults (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset. 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.

-Three-quarters (74%) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chance for career success.

-When respondents were asked, “What would you like to improve most about your smile?” The most common response was: “Whiter & brighter teeth.”

If you are not happy with your smile, teeth whitening may be a good first step.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Deciduous (baby) teeth are typically whiter than the adult teeth that appear later. As we age, our adult teeth often become darker, more yellow, or stained. This is partly why white teeth make people appear more youthful.

Just as there are a number of ways to lighten or brighten teeth, there are also several different ways for teeth to become discolored. The main causes of darkened teeth are genetics, antibiotics, and certain foods, plus teeth tend to darken as we age. Internal tooth discoloration is caused by changes in the enamel of the tooth and the dentin. The main causes of internal tooth discoloration are exposure to high levels of fluoride, tetracycline, use of antibiotics as a child, developmental disorders, tooth decay, restorations, root canal issues, and trauma.

External tooth discoloration is caused by factors outside the body, mainly foods and tobacco. The main causes of external tooth yellowing are smoking, foods with tannins, coffee, tea, carrots, oranges, and other foods.

Types of Teeth Whitening

There are various ways to whiten your teeth, but the two most common are in-office treatment and the do-it-yourself approach using over the counter products.

Tooth whitening can last for one or more years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth, and if you’re following up regularly with a home whitening product for regular maintenance.

There are a few over-the-counter tooth whitening methods that can be purchased without your dentist’s supervision. They include whitening strips, paint-on tooth gel, mouth trays with gel, whitening toothpaste, and even whitening gum. These are typically safe products, but if you have oral concerns, it’s a good idea to ask your dentist if these products are safe to use.

While over-the-counter tooth whitening products are available, dentist-supervised tooth whitening remains the safest, most effective method for brightening your smile. Here are some benefits of dentist-supervised whitening:

Properly Fitting Mouth Trays. Often, over-the-counter tooth whitening trays do not fit the patient’s mouth properly. Improperly fitting trays may cause the tooth whitening gel to leak, which can result in gum irritation and a less effective treatment.

More Comfortable Solutions. With today’s dentist-supervised systems, even patients with sensitive teeth can undergo teeth whitening treatment.

Decay Can Lead to Increased Sensitivity.  If you have decay present in your mouth, it is possible for you to have an elevated level of sensitivity after whitening.