With teeth whitening, we have professional options to remove stains and brighten smiles by several shades! Your results will be more dramatic, and last much longer, than the results possible with over-the-counter treatment options. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist will look at two of our options for removing minor or severe discoloration!
The Causes of Stains
How does discoloration form on our smiles? Well, the most common type is extrinsic, meaning they form on the surfaces of the teeth. They could be caused by drinking beverages with dark pigments, such as soda, tea, red wine, and coffee. Foods high in sugar and starch, which promote plaque buildup and make stains more visible, could be a factor too. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products could discolor teeth too, as could lack of proper brushing and flossing each day.
There is also intrinsic discoloration, which forms beneath the enamel and could be caused by injury, fluorosis, or exposure to tetracycline at a young age. These are also known as permanent discoloration, because they are difficult to remove.
Treatment with Trays and Gel
Our systems will use trays and gel to help break up stains from home, and also limit the risk of tooth sensitivity. We start with an office visit so we can take detailed images and measurements of your smile, creating a custom-made set of plastic trays. We send you home with these trays and a powerful bleaching gel. Once home, each day you will wear gel-filled trays for about 30 to 45 minutes, over a period of one to two weeks. For many, teeth could be brightened by several shades. We use Opalescence Teeth Whitening for most cases, but our KoR Whitening Deep Cleaning system is perfect for these intrinsic stains, reaching and breaking up what traditional systems couldn’t.
Better Habits Moving Forward
Moving forward, you can take steps to make your teeth stains much less visible. First, take time each day to brush when you wake up and again before bed, and always use a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss every evening, and see us every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These actions help prevent major plaque buildup and let your teeth stay bright. You also help by reducing your consumption of sugary foods and drinks, or beverages with dark pigments. If you have any questions about our teeth whitening systems, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TEETH WHITENING?
We would like to help you enjoy your brightest possible smile, often in as little as one week. For more information on the options we provide to brighten your teeth and improve smile beauty, then call the office of James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI, today at (734) 425-4400.