Top Facts About Teeth Whitening You Should Know
Statistical records show that in 2015 alone, Americans spent more than $1.4 billion purchasing at-home dental whitening products and over 11 billion dollars on teeth whitening. This depicts a picture of how willing and determined people are to get rid of their discolored teeth. Drummond Dental Care is a dental clinic you can visit and have your teeth whitened.
When you decide to have your teeth bleached, there are various products and methods you can choose from. However, you should note that most teeth whitening products contain chemicals that help achieve the desired results. This factor has become a major concern for most people who want to have whiter teeth. If you are among such persons who desire to have white teeth, this article will guide you to choose the right whitening options that are safe.
Causes of Yellow Teeth
Multiple factors can cause your teeth to darken or become dull, thus losing their attractive white sparkle. One such aspect is eating foods that stain the enamel. The enamel can be described as the outer white layer surrounding all your teeth. Furthermore, plaque or tartar buildup on the teeth surface as a result of failing to brush and maintain ideal oral hygiene can cause your teeth to have a yellow or brown appearance. However, this discoloration can be treated and gotten rid of by going to a dental office for regular cleanings or whitening treatments.
Sometimes teeth turn yellow because of enamel erosion. When this happens, the dentin, which is naturally yellow and found underneath the enamel, gets exposed, making your teeth lose their white appearance.
Whitening Systems
- In-office whitening – This is one of the quickest/fastest ways to have your teeth whitened by our dentist in Fairfax. It involves applying whitening products directly to one’s teeth. These products are mostly used together with a special laser or light, and the results are visible after treatment.
- Whitening rinses – Just like mouthwashes, these rinses too will freshen your breath and help reduce gum disease and dental plaque. Some of these products contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches teeth.
- Over-the-counter whitening gels and strips – Both whitening gels and strips contain peroxide, a whitening agent. These gels are applied directly to the teeth surface with a brush.
- Whitening toothpaste – These pastes contain chemical agents or gentle polishing that makes them effective at stain removal.
Who Isn’t a Tooth Whitening Candidate?
Teeth whitening cannot be recommended or yield desired results for people with the following issues:
- Gum disease, cavities, exposed roots, and worn enamel
- Teeth sensitivity and allergies
- Unrealistic expectations
- Fillings, tooth crowns, or other restorations
- Teeth that are darkly stained
How to Keep Your Teeth Stain-Free
Although your teeth will naturally turn yellow due to old age, there are things or actions you can partake in to help keep teeth stains at bay. They include:
- Limiting your intake of sugar and sugary foods
If you are out there and you desire to have whiter teeth, one key step you have to take is cutting back on your intake of sugar. A diet with a high sugar composition encourages bacterial growth, which in turn causes gingivitis and plaque.
- Cutting back on the consumption of staining beverages and foods
Coffee, dark berries, soda, and red wine are common foods and drinks that stain teeth. According to our dentist in Fairfax, VA, one does not necessarily have to avoid these foods; instead, the said individual should try limiting their intake. To keep staining beverages out of contact with teeth, use a straw whenever possible when you drink them. More so, people are advised to clean their teeth as soon as they are done consuming these beverages of foods.
- Eating a diet that’s rich in calcium
Any action you take that strengthens your teeth enamel will go a long way in keeping your teeth white. Eating calcium-rich foodstuffs such as broccoli, cheese, and milk will help protect one’s teeth against enamel erosion.
- Regularly brushing teeth and flossing before bedtime
In as much as we say that tooth discoloration occurs naturally as one age, the truth remains that this is largely caused by plaque buildup. Brushing your teeth with toothpaste, flossing, and going to a dentist near you for regular dental cleanings helps eliminate oral bacteria responsible for the formation of yellow plaque.
If you are planning to get the teeth whitening, don’t wait, call us right away to book an appointment with our dentist near you. Our dentist also welcome patients from Fairfax, Prosperity Ave, Merrilee Dr, Merrifield, Dunn Loring, Mantua, Falls Church, Tysons Corner, Antrim, and Vienna