When your teeth are discolored, it may make you self-conscious. You may avoid smiling or opening your mouth that much because you are so aware of the color of your teeth. There are some ways to make your teeth whiter and brighter safely. Before you consider any type of teeth whitening, you should consult a Gainesville dentist. Here are some important points to keep in mind when thinking about your teeth and making them whiter.
Most ways to whiten your teeth are safe as long as you follow the directions. Before you consider any type of teeth whitening, you should talk to your dentist to make sure that option is safe for you. Teeth often become discolored. There is extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. Extrinsic means the discoloration is coming from an outside source, while intrinsic means the source is inside your tooth.
Some extrinsic causes include foods, drinks, and smoking causes your teeth to yellow. Coffee, red wine, tea, and foods containing dyes are the top causes of stains on your teeth. This type of discoloration can be reduced with toothpaste that whitens your teeth. They can help reduce the staining to your teeth. Some intrinsic causes of discoloration of your teeth include medication, infection, trauma, and even aging. These are typically factors that you may not be able to control. These causes usually require professional whitening or bleaching. The causes of your stained teeth usually dictate the type of whitening that will work best for you.
If you opt to have your dentist provide some professional whitening for you, there are several methods they can use. Most of them use carbamide peroxide, which breaks down to hydrogen peroxide and urea. This breakdown is what creates a chemical reaction for the teeth to change the color. This is a relatively safe way to whiten your teeth. This treatment typically works quickly and lasts significantly longer. You can expect to have a few visits for this whitening, but it may only take a one-hour visit. If you have some type of dental problem, such as receding gums, you should talk to your dentist before any whitening treatment. You may be able to use an at-home whitening treatment that is provided to you by your dentist. This treatment involves custom-fit trays that fit your mouth. You add a gel given to you by your dentist and wear it for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You may use this treatment for several weeks.
You may expect some side effects from this type of treatment. Your teeth may be sensitive after they have been whitened. This sensitivity should reduce over time. You may feel more sensitive after your first treatment or two. You may be able to use products for sensitive teeth to help. You may experience irritation to your gums. This irritation may result from the product touching your gums. This should also go away after a few treatments. It is important to note that none of the whitening treatments are permanent. You will have to continue to follow some whitening regimen as long as you want to whiten your teeth.
Let me explain more on this topic. Teeth whitening is a process that can be done at home or by a professional. It is often done with the use of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and other ingredients. The treatments are usually applied to teeth using trays.
There are many things to think about when considering how to make your teeth whiter. One consideration is the type of toothbrush you use; using a soft brush will help prevent enamel erosion and wear. Another consideration is what kind of toothpaste you use; toothpaste with polishing agents like baking soda and peroxide will help brighten teeth, freshen breath, and clean between teeth.