Teeth Whitening It is an understatement to say that our teeth work quite hard. They allow us to chew, bite, speak, and smile to express ourselves. Over time, through the natural weathering teeth receive, they can also incur minor abrasions and discoloration that change their appearance. Even with extensive brushing or with whitening toothpaste, teeth can yellow over time. For some, the yellowing of teeth does not bode a confidence-boosting appearance.While yellowing teeth is fairly common, there are also options that allow those teeth to be cosmetically redefined and revamped to a bright and flashy appearance once again. Through professional whitening, you can have your smile restored to its full beautiful splendor. Our team here at Viva Smiles Family Dental is more than prepared to help you restore and amplify your smile to its brightest, cleanest, and happiest appearance. What Causes Teeth to Yellow?Sadly, teeth yellowing is an unavoidable reality of having teeth. There are certain factors that affect the yellowing of teeth particularly, though. Smoking and chewing tobacco are some of the most harsh yellowing agents for teeth. Tar and nicotine stain the teeth noticeably and should be avoided, not only for the negative effects on your teeth but for other health reasons. Tooth trauma can cause the tooth to discolor, and this can appear more yellow in hue. Age also reveals more dentin, so that over time, your teeth may appear more yellow. Lastly, one of the more obvious stain-causing things is the foods and drinks we consume. Red wine, coffee, and tea all are laden with chromogens that stain the teeth. Chromogens are the intense color bases all three drinks contain. Our teeth yellow over time because of factors beyond our control, but also because of factors directly within our control and choice. What is Tooth Whitening, and How Does It Work to Help You?Tooth whitening is actually quite a straightforward process. The process of tooth whitening utilizes bleaching agents to help break down stains and whiten your teeth. There are many ways a person can whiten their teeth, but ideally, it should be completed in our office. Tooth whitening can begin at home with whitening toothpaste. The whitening toothpaste works by means of small abrasive materials in the paste that wear down some of the stains found at the very surface of the tooth. It works as a cleaner, or like a polish, where they shine, and the color is achieved through abrasion rather than actual bleaching. Another option, which is not recommended, is to purchase whitening bleaching agents at the store to apply to your teeth. These come in the form of strips, typically, which are left in for a period of time. However, these can lead to serious tooth sensitivity and blanching of the gum tissue. In-office procedures consist of much stronger levels of bleaching agents, leading to much quicker whitening results, all under the carefully supervised attention of our professionals. Our team can even craft custom whitening trays, much like strips, that whiten the teeth with a stronger but safe level. Whitening teeth is one of the easier and more accessible aspects of cosmetic dentistry. If you want a professional-grade smile that shines on, please reach out to our team of professionals here at Viva Smiles Family Dental at (512) 863-9555 today. |
