What You Should Know About Teeth Whitening

Have you looked in the mirror lately and noticed your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be? Is tooth discoloration ruining your smile and you want your pearly whites back? Professional teeth whitening is one of the best and safest ways to get back the bright smile you lost.

Your smile is one of the first things a person notices about you. When your teeth are stained and yellowed, then it can cause low self-esteem and for you to be embarrassed by your smile. We’ve put together information about teeth whitening, a type of cosmetic dentistry , and how it can help you reclaim your smile.

Your teeth have a protective layer called enamel that keeps out cavities and acts as a shield against bacteria and sugar. The two types of white stains on teeth that impact tooth discoloration are either above the enamel stains, known as extrinsic, and below the enamel level stains , known as intrinsic.

There are many drinks that can cause staining on the outside of teeth including coffee, soda, and other beverages that are dark in color. Smoking can also stain teeth as well as dark-colored foods.

If you don’t brush enough or go to the dentist regularly, then it can also lead to white stains on teeth. Extrinsic stains are the easiest to lighten and often improve after standard dental cleaning.

Intrinsic stains are much different. They bypass the enamel and stain the inner working of the tooth directly. If you have weakened enamel then long-term smoking, drinking dark liquids, etc., can lead to intrinsic staining.

As we age, our teeth naturally yellow as well. Since the stains have permeated the tooth and it’s not just a surface stain, they often require the best teeth whitening to improve. If the stains are deep, then even professional tooth whitening may not be enough.

Therefore, it’s important to take care of these types of teeth stains before they get to the point where there is nothing to be done.

If you want to have your teeth whitened, the first step is to set up a dentist appointment. The dentist will examine your teeth and determine if you’re a good candidate.

While there aren’t many restrictions for the best tooth whitening, you must be free of any gum or tooth issues such as cavities and gum disease. If the dentist says you’re a candidate, there are two options you have for whitening.

Zoom! Laser teeth whitening in NYC is an in-office whitening system that uses lasers and special bleach solution to lighten your teeth up to 10 shades in a single visit.

The dentist places a bleach solution on your teeth using a tray shaped for your teeth. A laser slowly heats the bleach solution, which activates the oxygen in the solution to remove stains deep within the enamel and on the surface of your teeth.

For those that prefer to whiten teeth in their own time, there are take-home kits that aren’t as effective as laser whitening but allows for privacy. The kits have trays that are molded to your teeth and a bleaching solution that will whiten your teeth.

Unlike, laser whitening, take-home kits don’t produce immediate results. Instead, they gradually improve the color of your teeth over 3 to 4 weeks.

If you’ve perused the aisles of your local big-box store, then you’ve likely seen at-home whitening kits that you can buy there. Why get a take-home kit if you can get a less expensive version? The results are not the same.

The biggest difference is a dentist creates applicator trays that are molded to your teeth. This maximizes coverage of the bleach solution and provides even coverage. Store-bought kits usually have trays that don’t fit your teeth exactly.

This can cause an uneven distribution, tooth sensitivity, and other problems. They store-bought kits also may have a different type of bleaching solution that doesn’t work nearly as well as the one from a dentist.

Teeth whitening in NYC can bring the brightness of your smile back, but if you revert to your old habits of smoking, drinking dark liquids, etc., then the staining will come back. Maintaining your new smile requires the adoption of new habits that help your teeth.

You can still drink tea and soda but do it in moderation. Make sure you’re brushing often to reduce the impact staining has on your teeth and visit the dentist regularly for cleanings. It’s also a good habit to chew gum or eat fruits that help stimulate the production of saliva.

If you don’t, then your teeth will eventually revert to their stained status and require another whitening treatment. Teeth whitening costs are not inexpensive, so it’s important to do whatever you can to keep your smile bright.

Your teeth are once again pearly white, but other than a great smile what else can tooth whitening do for you? One of the biggest benefits is a boost in confidence.

Yellow teeth are embarrassing, and it keeps you from showing your smile. This can make you seem standoffish and keep you going into social situations. A bright smile helps you get out there.

Are you noticing laugh lines around your mouth or wrinkles? When you smile, it becomes the focal point of everyone around you. They’re staring at your gorgeous teeth and not your wrinkles. If you want to hide the appearance of wrinkles, then let people focus on your teeth and not your laugh lines.

If you can't afford teeth whitening costs, then there is financing available through the dentist's office.

The first step to a new and brighter smile is a dentist's appointment. Teeth whitening can transform your smile and your attitude. It’s a perfectly safe procedure and one of the most common ones done at a dentist’s office.

If you want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and tooth whitening, then please call us today.