You’re doing all the right things to take care of your teeth: Flossing, brushing, and visiting the dentist regularly. But as you’ve started aging you notice that your teeth aren’t quite as white as they used to be. Maybe it’s all those years of coffee drinking, but you’ve noticed that your teeth don’t sparkle like they used to, even after a dental cleaning.
The answer to reclaiming a whiter smile maybe you need a visit with Dr. Hadley, your Las Vegas dentist, for tooth whitening.
What is Tooth Whitening?
Tooth whitening is a pretty simple cosmetic process designed to bring back your whitest smile. Your teeth are painted in a whitening solution that contains one of two bleaches designed specifically for your teeth. The bleaches contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Both are safe solutions designed to whiten the enamel of your teeth. This can be done in one painless visit.
Side effects of teeth whitening are minimal. You may experience some temporary tooth sensitivity.
But how did your teeth start to stain in the first place?
- Over time, medications can darken or discolor the teeth. From chemotherapy to antihistamines, some drugs can change the color of your enamel.
- Aging can yellow your teeth. That’s because the enamel will eventually start to wear away, exposing the dentin layer of your teeth. That layer is less white than the outer enamel, and it may cause your teeth to appear yellower as you age.
- Smoking or chewing tobacco can create stains that are difficult to remove. Tar and nicotine are the two substances that remain on the teeth.
- Red wine, coffee, and tea are all great for staining the teeth.
It’s important to talk to your dentist about whitening your teeth, because it may not remove all of the stains. For example, whitening won’t work on capped or veneered teeth. If you had a tooth injury that turned it dark, a whitener will not change the discoloration, which actually comes from the inside of the tooth.
What about Do-it-Yourself Bleaching?
Look at it this way – you probably could cut your own hair, but do you really think that’s a good idea? Kidding aside, there is whitening toothpaste that has special polishers to clean up the teeth. Or, you can buy an at-home bleaching kit to whiten the enamel of your teeth. The bleaching solution in these kits is typically much less than what you’d receive at the dentist’s office. If you go this route, make sure you buy the one with the American Dental Association (ADA) approval seal for safety and effectiveness.
Dr. Hadley’s Tooth Whitening Process
You can have professional results at home with Dr. Hadley’s tooth whitening process. We fabricate customized teeth whitening trays that fit over your teeth. You take that home, along with a whitening gel. You add the gel into the tray and slip the whiteners over your teeth. You can wear it during the day or at night when you sleep. We’ve found it to be the easiest and most comfortable way to apply cosmetic whiteners to your teeth. Talk with us about this process – we’re here to help!