Most people’s teeth start out white when they are children. Then, teeth begin to discolor over the years. Your teeth have pores, just like your skin. Anything you put into your mouth that has color can absorb into your teeth. The most common things that cause tooth discoloration include:
· Red wine
· Coffee
· Berries
· Tea
· Smoking
These agents are particularly active in staining teeth. As time goes on, these stains begin to accumulate and darken, actually changing the color of your teeth from white to a yellowish or brownish tinged color. While teeth staining causes no known health problems, it is unattractive, and can make you appear older and less healthy. You deserve a brilliant, white smile so you can look and feel your best.
Those stains on your teeth will not go away unless you do something to remove them.
There are many teeth whitening solutions available, from over-the-counter DIY (do-it-yourself) kits, to professional stain removal procedures provided by your dentist. All these products whiten your teeth by being absorbed into the teeth, and gently pushing out the stains through the pores of the teeth. After each whitening session, your teeth will naturally remineralize and rehydrate.
There are differences in methods used for teeth whitening. Just as aggressive brushing may damage the surface of your teeth, so can tooth whitening products. However, if used as instructed, professional teeth whitening is incredibly safe.
When a dentist whitens your teeth, they will provide your teeth with better total whitening coverage because they will use custom made trays to hold the whitening chemicals. This way, the whitening agent gets into every nook and cranny of every tooth, no matter the shape or size of the tooth. Also, whitening done by your dentist will last longer than over-the-counter whiteners. So, if you are looking for results that last more than a few weeks, it is best to go to your dentist for teeth whitening.
No product on the market can whiten teeth in just a few minutes, or even a day. It is simply impossible for any safe whitening agent to penetrate deeply enough into teeth at that speed, and accomplish the desired results. Whitening can take as little as four days, or as long as several months. The amount of time it takes depends on the level of tooth discoloration, and the level of whiteness desired as the end result.
If you would like to brighten your smile for the holidays, and for the brand new year, contact El Portal Dental Group in Merced, California at 209-385-1479. They can make sure you are your sparkly best for the sparkly season. Then, when you smile, you will light up the room!