Teeth Whitening

Why Do Teeth Change Color?

Your teeth may change color for a number of reasons, dulling the whiteness of your smile. Coffee, tea, and other beverages and foods are often contributing culprits to the process, in addition to tobacco use and certain medications.

Trauma may change the composition of a tooth, resulting in a greater amount of dentin and making the tooth appear darker. Aging may also change the color of the tooth as the enamel thins and the dentin shows through.

Whitening Options

There are many options for teeth whitening, including toothpastes, over-the-counter kits, in-office whitening, and take-home whitening. However, whitening toothpastes generally do not work very well and may make the teeth more sensitive.

Over-the-counter whitening kits come with strips and a tooth guard and often require that you use them every day for about two weeks. While over-the-counter whitening kits may work to whiten the teeth, the chemicals may burn or bleach the gums if care is not taken.

In-Office Treatment

Before whitening can be performed, dentists must prepare your teeth by filling any cavities and thoroughly cleaning them of debris and plaque. A specific gel is then placed on the teeth and a special light is shined on them to activate the gel.

Depending on the color of the teeth and the desired shade, the whitening procedure may take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes and may be repeated several times over multiple visits.

At-Home Whitening

Teeth can be whitened at home using a kit provided by your dentist. This works much like over-the-counter kits, but the dentist may use stronger chemicals that whiten the teeth better and faster.

Instead of strips, these kits typically use a whitening gel. The trays that are provided by the dentist are specially crafted to fit your teeth for maximum benefit. As with over-the-counter kits, you may be instructed to whiten your teeth daily for several weeks to achieve your desired results.

Speak to one of our care professionals today about how we can enhance your smile!