3 Things To Know About Teeth Whitening

Your smile can have a major impact on your appearance and your self-esteem. If your teeth are not as white as they could be, it can have a negative impact on how you view yourself. The good news is that teeth whitening can help you get a brighter and whiter smile. Teeth whitening services can whiten your teeth several shades in just a few hours. If you are considering teeth whitening, here are three things to keep in mind.

1. The Causes of Discolored Teeth

Before you get any type of teeth whitening services, it's important to know what causes tooth discoloration in the first place. There are a variety of causes including certain types of foods and drinks, the use of tobacco, injury or trauma to the teeth, poor dental hygiene, and the use of certain types of medication. Teeth also begin to become less white as we age due to enamel loss. Genetics can also have a major impact on your tooth color. Some are born with thicker enamel and thus whiter teeth. Avoiding staining foods and beverages, tobacco products, and maintaining good dental hygiene, are natural ways to keep your teeth whiter. 

2. Teeth Whitening Services

If you are looking for a whiter smile in a short amount of time, teeth whitening services may work for you. While there are at-home teeth whitening kits available, for the best results a trip to the dentist is a must. Teeth whitening services at your dentist's office use higher concentrations of peroxide in order to get noticeable results. In-office treatments can whiten your teeth by nine or sometimes even more shades. However, most people see an improvement between two and seven shades. In-office teeth whitening costs on average between $300 and $1,000. 

3. Results Can Vary

Another thing that you should be aware of when it comes to teeth whitening is that results can vary depending on your situation. Staining on the enamel of the teeth, often referred to as extrinsic staining, is easier to remove than deep stains, also known as intrinsic staining. If your teeth are stained due to certain medications, such as tetracycline, or due to injury, you may not see the results you are looking for. If this is the case, you may want to discuss alternatives with your dentist. For those with stubborn, deep discoloration, dental veneers or dental bonding may be better options.

Getting a white smile is easier than ever. If you are considering teeth whitening, there are a few things that you should know. Teeth discoloration is caused by a variety of factors. However, avoiding foods and drinks that stain and practicing good dental hygiene are natural ways to get whiter teeth. Teeth whitening done by your dentist is the fastest way to see teeth that are multiple shades whiter. However, results can vary, and some may see better results with other dental procedures.