Stay Away Stains! How To Keep Teeth Shining Bright
Stay Away Stains! How To Keep Teeth Shining Bright!
Having a smile that compliments your personality is the best piece of jewelry you can wear. A beautiful, white and fresh smile enhances your aura and self-confidence. A confident heartfelt smile transcends language barriers to conveys warmth and friendliness all over the world. A smile also makes way for further conversations, makes you more approachable, and builds social well-being. It is no wonder that society puts so much importance on a bright smile.
Owing to these reasons, cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening are seeing an all-time high demand. From teenagers to adults, many people are actively seeking whiter teeth. This growing demand has led to a plethora of over-the-counter teeth whitening kits as well. However, the best and safest way to whiten your teeth is in the dental office under the careful supervision of a board-certified dentist like Dr. Zia.
WHAT IS TEETH WHITENING?
Most of us are born with pearly white teeth; however, the effects of aging and our food habits begin to show on our teeth. Excessive consumption of caffeine and tea for a long time can stain the teeth yellow-brown. Smoking and tobacco consumption is also known to degrade the structure of our teeth and stains them.
In addition, some genetic conditions like tetracycline staining and fluorosis can also lead to teeth discoloration.
Whatever may cause your teeth stains, we at Classic Dental Care, Gilbert, have a solution for you. Teeth whitening is a dental cosmetic procedure that helps lighten your teeth' natural color to a brighter shade by using chemical agents. Teeth whitening procedures done by Dr. Zia help remove the signs of aging, stains, and other forms of discoloration from your teeth to reveal a more radiant-looking smile.
TYPES OF TEETH STAINS
INTRINSIC TEETH STAINS
Intrinsic Teeth Stains are the stains that are embedded into the tooth structure itself. It can be due to a traumatic injury to the teeth, certain medications like tetracyclines, fluorosis, and dental malformations like enamel and dentinal hypoplasia.
EXTRINSIC TEETH STAINS
Extrinsic Teeth Stains are present on the outer surface of the teeth and are mainly caused due to foods, beverages, and tobacco. It can also be caused due to certain metals and silver dental fillings. Extrinsic stains are generally more comfortable and more accessible to treat than intrinsic teeth stains.
At Classic Dental Care, Gilbert, Dr. Zia performs various teeth whitening procedures for treating such discolorations. It is also important to note that each of us has different intensity of teeth staining and will require different approaches to get the desired shade of teeth.
IN-OFFICE TEETH WHITENING
VITAL BLEACHING
This is a teeth whitening procedure done on alive teeth, meaning they still have an active nerve and blood supply.
NON VITAL BLEACHING
This is a teeth whitening procedure done on teeth that do not have an active dental pulp. This happens when a tooth has undergone root canal treatment.
During your initial appointment with us at Classic Dental Care, Dr. Zia will perform a complete oral examination to determine the status of your oral health and advice you on a proper treatment plan. The vitality of the teeth and general health will play a crucial role in your treatment plan and expected results.
Conventional in-the-office teeth whitening procedure takes the help of a whitening gel composed of hydrogen peroxide or its close relative carbamide peroxide. Usually, the whitening gel will have anywhere from 10-30% of these active ingredients.
Dr. Zia will begin the procedure by retracting your cheek and covering all the gums and oral soft tissues, leaving just the teeth exposed. You may be advised to undergo teeth cleaning before the whitening procedure for the best and favorable results. The teeth whitening gel is carefully applied to the teeth surface and allowed to sit for some time. After this, the gel is washed off, and teeth are cleaned. This procedure may be repeated several times depending on the extent of discoloration during subsequent appointments.
Recently, UV light has been inculcated in the traditional teeth whitening procedure. With the addition of UV light, the active gel penetrates deeper into the tooth structure. This fastens the process of teeth whitening and makes the entire process more efficient. You can expect up to 8 shade lighter teeth in just a single seating.
PREVENTING TEETH STAINS
We have all heard the quote, "Prevention is better than cure!" So, here are some of our top tips to prevent teeth stains.
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled nylon toothbrush twice every day, once in the morning and once before bed. Be gentle while brushing to avoid trauma to the teeth structures.
- Supplement your daily toothbrushing with floss and mouth rinse.
- Limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption.
- Rinse often.
- Go for regular dental checkups to stay at the top of your oral health.
- Ensure proper tartar removal.
- Stay away from smoking and cigarettes.
- Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Use a whitening toothpaste.
IS TEETH WHITENING SAFE?
Generally speaking, teeth whitening procedures are safe. However, with new at-home whitening kits flooding the market, it becomes easier to overdo it. Overdoing teeth whitening harms the teeth and leads to their degradation. You will experience intense teeth sensitivity with unpremeditated use of home whitening kits as it makes the enamel porous and prone to breakage. Improper use of home whitening can also cause chemical burns to the cheeks, gums, and tongue. Moreover, the efficacy of over-the-counter teeth whitening products is highly debatable.
Therefore, it is recommended you consult a dentist like Dr. Zia before opting for any teeth whitening procedure. Professional in-the-office teeth whitening procedure at Classic Dental Care is carried out after a thorough oral examination and under the supervision of our board-certified dentist, Dr. Zia. This ensures safety and efficiency. Professional teeth whitening procedures also employ medical-grade teeth whitening active ingredients, which guarantee results.
If you have any more questions or would like to know more about our dental services, please reach out to us. Classic Dental Care's team of amazing dental professionals will be there to assist you in your journey to a dream smile.