Tooth discoloration is one of the most common oral concerns among American adults. While teeth eventually darken with age, some people get discolored teeth earlier for various reasons like improper oral hygiene, smoking, and eating certain foods. Fortunately, modern dentistry provides many solutions for this problem.
Teeth whitening is the most effective treatment for stained or discolored teeth through the application of bleaching products. The terms “whitening” and “bleaching” are often interchanged in dentistry, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains the distinction between the two. Teeth are “bleached” when their color is modified or made whiter than their natural state, while they are “whitened” when their surface color is restored and rid of grime and dirt.
In both methods, teeth stains and blemishes are removed through procedures done at home or in dental offices. Teeth may be achieve some whitening with certain kinds of toothpaste, but not to the extent and speed that professional cleaning can allow.
Understanding Tooth Stains
Blemishes that may occur on teeth are generally classified as either extrinsic or intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are smudges from external elements that come in contact with the teeth, such as dark foods, tobacco, and dark beverages. On the other hand, stains that form in the interior of the teeth because of trauma, excessive fluoride ingestion, and aging are described as intrinsic.
The enamel, or the outer surface of a tooth, may be easily affected by dirt and grime. Its microscopic crystalline rods provide enough durability to protect the tooth from the harmful effects of sugar. As this protective layer gets worn down over time, however, the enamel becomes more transparent, and the inherent yellowish hue of the dentin underneath begins to show.
When you chew, the tooth’s enamel develops millions of very tiny cracks, where stains and food debris collect. This also leads to the darkening of teeth, and their loss of luster.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
One of the popular whitening options today is at-home whitening with dental kits dispensed by the dentist. While in-office whitening may be faster, dentists realize this is not a convenient option for all. Home whitening typically makes use of professional-grade bleaching products, and applied using customized dental trays. Your dentistry will give you instructions on the product’s application, which you have to follow for best results. This is a convenient option because you may do this at home, any time of the day. The dental trays are also portable enough to be carried anywhere.
To find out which option may be most appropriate for you, have a consultation with a reputable dentist, like one from Gillum Dentistry in Greenwood.
Sources:
Teeth Whitening: How it Works and what it Costs. Yourdentistryguide.com
At-Home Teeth Whitening: Evaluating your DIY Whitening Options. Yourdentistryguide.com