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Teeth Whitening
Whitening procedures
have effectively restored stained, dull, or discolored teeth. More
and more people today are choosing tooth-whitening procedures to
reverse the effects of aging and abuse from food and tobacco stains.
Food particles are naturally attracted to a tooth's enamel by a
certain protein. Products like coffee and tea, berries and soy sauce
are notorious for staining teeth. Over time, teeth actually become
more absorbent and vulnerable to staining from food and other
substances. The darker tissue of your teeth, the dentin, can become
exposed as the outer layer of enamel is worn away by the effects of
aging or things like caffeine and tobacco.
One type of stain-caused by traumatic injuries, medications and
fluorosis-actually begins inside the tooth and brushing won't help.
Another type of stain is caused by external factors such as foods.
Some commercially available "whitening toothpastes" can be somewhat
effective at removing stains and making teeth a few shades brighter.
However, many of these products have abrasive substances that can
actually wear away your tooth's enamel.
Whitening agents actually change the color of your teeth, but only
are effective on certain types of stains. For example, bleaching
agents have a difficult time removing brownish or grayish stains.
These products also are not as effective on pitted or badly
discolored teeth, or on restorations such as crowns, bridges,
bonding and tooth-colored fillings (porcelain veneers or dental
bonding may be more appropriate in this case).
Professional whitening performed by our office is considered to be
the most effective and safest method; done properly, tooth whitening
can last as long as five years. Over-the-counter whitening systems
are somewhat effective as long as they are monitored and directions
followed closely. |
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