Brighten Your Holiday Smile
The holiday season is right around the corner and with it come many reasons to smile. Whether it is the beautiful decorations, holiday gatherings with family and friends, delicious meals or the joy of giving, there’s always a reason to smile.
Over time, our teeth can discolor and stain because of foods and beverages like coffee, tea and sodas. Your teeth can also yellow and stain from tobacco and alcohol use. However, they don’t have to stay that way forever.
TYPES OF STAINS
There are two types of stains: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic stains discolor the surface of the tooth over time. they develop by repeated exposure to the same types of foods or beverages that would stain your clothes. Drinks like coffee, tea and red wine are the most common culprits. Smoking can also make your teeth yellow or even brownish.
Intrinsic stains occur under the hard, outer surface of your teeth called enamel. They may appear as you age when they enamel may become thinner, allowing the yellowish dentin to show through. Other causes of intrinsic stains are things that affect the whole tooth, like an injury.
OPTIONS FOR WHITENING
There are many choices for whitening: over-the-counter products, dentist-dispensed trays and in-office treatments.
OVER-THE COUNTER OPTIONS
There are a number of whitening products on store shelves. The most common are toothpastes or whitening strips. Many whitening toothpastes scrub stains from your teeth. Some also may contain low levels of peroxide, a chemical that helps lighten teeth. Many can be used every time you brush. Whitening strips have a thin layer of peroxide-containing gel that can be applied directly to your teeth. Whitening strips typically involve leaving the strip on for a few hours a day over the course of 1 to 2 weeks.
TRAYS DISPENSED BY THE DENTIST
Your dentist can make a custom-fit tray that you coat with a whitening gel and wear for a few hours at a time each day until you reach your desired shade. Usually 1 to 2 weeks. Because the amount of peroxide in the gel is greater than that of the over-the-counter products, your teeth may brighten faster.
IN-OFFICE PROCEDURES
In-office procedures also rely on peroxide, but the gel applied contains a stronger level of peroxide than that used in the at-home versions. The dentist applies a gel, and then may use a light to speed up a chemical reaction to whiten the teeth. This can be done in a single office visit and offers quick and noticeable results.
SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH BLEACHING
When peroxide is used, whether it is in strips or gels, the whitening process is often referred to as bleaching. Bleaching relies on a chemical reaction to lighten the color of your teeth rather than just removing surface stains.
Beyond lightening your teeth, bleaching can have some unintended effects like sensitive teeth or irritated gums. The good news is, these side effects are usually transient and go away once you stop using the product.
If you are interested in brightening your smile for the holidays, give us a call and we can discuss which option is right for you.
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