The most common cause of tooth discoloration is surface stains. Teeth will naturally seem whiter, brighter, and more attractive as a result of removing these stains. It is possible to accomplish this without the use of topical bleaches or other more complicated teeth whitening procedures depending on the form of staining you are combating.
Teeth whitening isn’t difficult, but achieving the most attractive results without a little help might be tough. If your at-home teeth whitening methods aren’t as successful as you’d hoped, contact Dentist Bellaire to book a consultation and discover how we can lighten your teeth several tones to reveal the beautiful, brilliant white enamel.
Preferable is always to prevent
When tooth discoloration is not prevented in the first place, removing stains from your teeth is only required. The easiest approach to avoid staining is to maintain excellent oral hygiene. By following these recommendations, you can help prevent tooth staining:
- Using a straw to drink dark beverages, such as coffee or tea
- Refraining from other types of tobacco usage
- Reducing your consumption of dark sauces, berries, and other meals is a good idea.
- Reducing your intake of sugary beverages and drinks
Stains from smoking and making healthy food selections can be prevented in the first place, but avoiding dark sauces and specific fruits isn’t pleasant or suggested, necessitating that you understand how to deal with potential staining causes before they have a chance to form.
Brushing your teeth after every meal and snack is one of the most effective preventative techniques. If you don’t have restorations, such as porcelain veneers or white dental crowns, you can use a slightly abrasive toothpaste; any toothpaste will do if you stick to the regimen.
To clean your teeth properly, keep the following in mind:
- Use a gentle-bristled toothbrush.
- Brush all surfaces of your teeth.
- Aim for two minutes every time you brush.
Allow your electric toothbrush to do the hard work for you if you use one. Too much force, whether from a manual or electric toothbrush, can scratch or damage enamel, allowing stains to get a firmer hold.
30 minutes is a good interval to wait between meals and tooth brushing. Some foods might temporarily erode your enamel. It’s possible that brushing too quickly after eating certain items might damage the teeth, allowing stains to spread even more rapidly.
If you’d like personalized brushing instructions, please see our David Fisher DDS office. To book a consultation and learn more, give us a call at 713-667-8080.
Teeth Whitening at Home
If stains aren’t prevented, they’ll need to be removed. This might be done quickly by brushing after each meal and snack, or with a little effort after stains have developed. The following are some of the most effective at-home tooth whitening procedures:
- Traditional oil pulling is a type of Ayurvedic treatment that involves swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes each day. Gum health, a cleaner mouth, and whiter teeth are among the benefits of this practice.
- Brushing with baking soda will help remove surface stains, even after they’ve set. However, if you have restorations, avoid using baking soda because it can scratch and damage porcelain and ceramics.
- Use hydrogen peroxide – many tooth whiteners use hydrogen peroxide to bleach teeth. To brush daily or put on teeth like a mask for five to ten minutes several times a week, combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a paste. However, if you have restorations, this is not advised.
Some people have reported that gargling with hydrogen peroxide causes the condition known as “black hairy tongue.” Smokers are more likely to get black hairy tongue, which provides another incentive for them to quit smoking.
Surface stains may not be removed using strawberries, charcoal, or other recently claimed miracle tooth whiteners. Enamel is permanently damaged by these kinds of tooth whitening techniques, according to study. If you’ve previously damaged your teeth with malic acid or a charcoal tooth whitener, we can talk about dental bonding or porcelain crowns to relieve the increased tooth sensitivity and topical yellowing that is typical after enamel has been destroyed.
The Different Teeth Whitening Procedure
Tooth stains can be prevented. Surface satins may be removed at home. However, teeth whitening treatments frequently need a specific product to whiten teeth. Teeth whitening toothpaste may be successful, but it usually includes the same chemicals (baking soda and hydrogen peroxide) as homemade pastes. Remember, “tooth whitening” can refer to anything that removes surface stains. The name isn’t always indicative of the product’s effectiveness in removing genuine discoloration.
Over-the-counter whitening kits are also somewhat effective. They can be messy, unpleasant, and unpredictable. This technique of tooth whitening can produce a mottled tooth appearance or uneven enamel lightening on individual teeth. If you wish to whiten your teeth at home, one of the take-home teeth whitening kits provided by our cosmetic dentistry practice is the best option.
David Fisher DDS’ application kits come with custom application trays that have been modified to fit your unique mouth, ensuring uniform coverage and consistent outcomes. Furthermore, these tray systems help to prevent whitening solution from leaking, reducing the risk of tooth sensitivity and gum discomfort – both of which are issues that over-the-counter whitening kits exacerbate.
Our cosmetic dentists also provide in-office tooth whitening with Zoom! This method of whitening teeth may produce outstanding outcomes during a single medical visit, providing you a clean foundation from which to start preventing stains by utilizing the strategies mentioned above. During your teeth whitening consultation, we can provide you with more information about maintaining results and offer you the tools you need to keep your smile bright and attractive all year.
Please call David Fisher DDS at 713-667-8080 to schedule a consultation if you live in or near Texas and are considering teeth whitening.