We all want a bright, white smile, but there's more to teeth whitening than what we see on the surface. Before we get into all of the ways you can make your teeth appear whiter, there are a few things you should know: even perfectly healthy teeth can have a yellow tint.
There are numerous factors that can influence the colour of your teeth, which we will discuss further below. If your tooth has suddenly changed colour to shades of brown, grey, or black, or if you've recently suffered a trauma to a tooth, you should contact your dentist right away.
Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry process that can give you an instant whiter, brighter smile. To give the appearance of white teeth, whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to bleach the enamel and dentin.
When you come in for your whitening consultation, your dentist will be able to help you determine what shade your teeth are now and where you want them to be. Remember that tooth whiteness is descriptive and has little to no bearing on the health of your current smile.
During your consultation, you should also consider any existing or future crowns, bridges, or fillings. Because whitening therapies cannot change the colour of these man-made surfaces, it's important to consider whether they show when you smile or if you want to whiten them before deciding on the shade of an upcoming restoration.
While whitening is safe, some people report sensitivity in the days following treatment. Sensitivity can be caused by the peroxides used in the treatment and should resolve on its own within a few days. Likewise, if you use trays to continue whitening at home, make sure the fit is comfortable and does not cause gum irritation.
There’s more to brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes than just your oral health – it's also the key to keeping a sparkling smile. As long as you're brushing and flossing once a day, you'll know you're doing a good job of dealing with any common stains. Furthermore, with two- or three-times cleanings by a dental professional, the majority of surface stains can be removed without the use of whitening treatments.
Do you want to get rid of stains for good? Be mindful of the foods and beverages you consume, as these can have an impact on the colour of your smile. While you don't have to completely avoid tooth-staining substances, you can rinse with water after a meal or a cup of coffee to remove any residue.
If these steps aren’t giving you the results you want, it might be worth considering whitening treatments, available at Sahas Dental.