Why do teeth change color?
Your teeth naturally change color as you age. Over the years, your enamel wears away, revealing the yellow dentin underneath. The more dentin that becomes visible, the more discolored your teeth appear.
Other factors that may cause your teeth to develop stains include:
- Taking medication with tetracycline
- Using tobacco
- Eating foods that stain, like berries, curry, or pasta sauce
- Drinking beverages with tannins like black tea or red wine
You can also develop discolored teeth due to poor oral hygiene. Laser Dental Group recommends brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting the office every six months for a professional cleaning.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a type of cosmetic dentistry. It uses medical-grade bleaching solutions to safely remove stains and discoloration from the surface of your teeth. Laser Dental Group uses a gentle hydrogen-peroxide light-activated solution. The solution is safe and well-tolerated and provides stunning results.
What are the types of teeth whitening?
Laser Dental Group offers two types of teeth whitening, including:
In-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening can make your smile between 6-8* shades lighter in a single session.
Prior to treatment, your dentist covers your gums and tongue with a protective barrier. The team then applies a light-activated solution to each of your teeth. After the solution sits for about 15 minutes, your dentist points a blue light at your teeth, triggering a bleaching reaction. Your dentist repeats these same steps several times, until achieving your desired shade of white.
Take-home teeth whitening trays
If you want to whiten your teeth at home, consider take-home whitening trays. Each kit contains two plastic mouthpieces, a syringe, and a bottle of bleaching solution. You use the syringe to transfer the bleaching solution to each mouthpiece and wear them for three to four hours, whenever is most convenient.
Take-home whitening trays don’t work as quickly as an in-office treatment, but the results last for just as long.
Will I need a follow-up appointment?
The results of teeth whitening typically last four to six months, but you can extend them with good oral hygiene. You’ll know it’s time to schedule a follow-up appointment when your teeth start collecting stains again.
If you want a Hollywood-worthy smile, consider teeth whitening at Laser Dental Group. Book an appointment with the online scheduling tool or call the office today.
*Individual results may vary.
