Conway Dentistry at White Mountain Dental
We know at White Mountain Dental how important first impressions are. We want to boost your confidence by giving you a brighter, whiter smile.
Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure in which the teeth are treated to remove stains and make the surface appear whiter. Teeth whitening can be done at home or with a cosmetic dentist. At-home options are often less expensive and give results just as good as professional treatments.
Often, teeth whitening won’t lead to a complete color change but can lighten the existing color to make teeth a few shades whiter than they were initially. When you want to lighten the color of your teeth without damaging or removing any of the tooth’s natural enamel, tooth whitening is a good option.
Tooth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures because it dramatically improves the aesthetics of your smile without lengthy or expensive treatments. For best long-term results, a one-off treatment may not be enough. The best outcome will be achieved with regular whitening treatments on an ongoing basis to maintain the desired brighter shade.
Why Aren’t My Teeth White?
Your teeth can be discolored for several reasons: lifestyle choices, medications, age, or injury. First, you must understand the two types of stains: Intrinsic and Extrinsic.
EXTRINSIC STAINS – Extrinsic stains are on the exterior of your teeth.
You can help prevent extensive extrinsic stains by maintaining good oral hygiene and limiting your consumption of teeth-staining foods. Teeth whitening treatments will often whiten a smile dulled by extrinsic staining.
Extrinsic stains are from lifestyle choices, including smoking, the consumption of certain beverages, and oral hygiene. Coffee, tea, and red wine can stain your teeth. Foods and drinks with citric acid can damage your tooth enamel. Even without indulging in smoking or certain beverages, failure to brush and floss properly can lead to yellowing of teeth.
As you grow older, the protective enamel on your teeth begins to erode. The material underneath is called “dentin.” It is a yellowish color, another reason your teeth could be discolored.
INTRINSIC STAINS – Intrinsic stains are within teeth and are much harder to solve. These types of stains are seen with necrotic (dying) teeth or teeth that have previously had root canal therapy. Read more here
Intrinsic stains can also be caused by tiny cracks, which allow foods, beverages, and tobacco to crawl inside and stain the teeth from the inside out. They can also be caused by antibiotics, bleeding within the tooth, tooth decay, too much fluoride, or even genetics. To learn more follow this link.
Traditional teeth whitening treatments can reduce some intrinsic staining, but the results may not last. Patients with intrinsic teeth stains can benefit the most from veneers. Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made coverings that attach to the surface of your teeth. They cover up the stained tooth and can last between 10 and 15 years — much longer than any teeth whitening treatment!
Over-the-Counter vs. Professional Whitening Treatments
Although many teeth-whitening home products are available over the counter, like whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, they are significantly less effective than professional whitening options. Some can even damage and leave you with extra sensitive teeth.
For your convenience, we offer two options for teeth whitening at White Mountain Dental: in the office or at home. Both treatments require a thorough cleaning to ensure maximum effectiveness.
If you choose to have your teeth whitened in the office, the treatment generally takes an hour, depending on the shade of your teeth. The results are immediate.
If you wish to whiten your teeth at home, we can send a whitening kit with you. After the cleaning, we fit you for your whitening trays to ensure the right amount of bleaching agent is applied. The process is a gradual progression that still leads to a beautiful result.
North Conway Dentistry at White Mountain Dental
If your tooth color bothers you, please call our office. We are more than just a dental care practice: we are also confidence-restorers! Let us at White Mountain Dental in Conway help you get the brighter, whiter teeth you desire! Ask us about our other cosmetic dental services to help you feel comfortable flashing your smile.