Setting Your Expectations for Teeth Whitening

  

Which one of us wouldn’t want to have bright, sparkling, white teeth? It is a fact that humans attach a high level of importance to their appearances, and a beautiful set of teeth ranks high among the factors that boost our self-confidence. That being said, it is not realistic for each of us to expect perfectly white teeth through the teeth whitening procedures available on the market. Consulting with a dentist near you will reveal that the results of teeth whitening procedures differ from person to person, largely depending on the state of oral health, the treatment used, and personal oral hygiene practices.

What Causes Teeth To Become Stained?

Over time, the consumption of certain foods and beverages causes our teeth to stain and look dull or yellow. Some of the foods and drinks that leave stains on teeth are:

●       Red wine

●       Coffee and tea

●       Dark berries

●       Acidic foods such as tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar

Some other reasons for teeth staining are:

●       Smoking and tobacco use

●       Dental injuries

●       Chemicals such as tetracycline found in some medications

●       Erosion of the enamel with age

While the stains on teeth arising out of foods and beverages consumed are easier to deal with, staining caused by the other factors may not be completely reversed. A dental office providing teeth whitening near you can have a dentist assess your teeth and suggest which methods of teeth whitening might work for you. However, it is important to remember that any teeth whitening efforts will be rendered ineffective if not followed by changes in your habits to eliminate the causes that stained your teeth. For example, if you continue the use of tobacco after your teeth whitening treatment, new stains will keep forming defeating the whitening effect. Proper oral hygiene and some changes in your lifestyle are essential to continue enjoying your newly whitened teeth!

Teeth whitening might not be suitable for some of us, such as those:

●       Under the age of 16 - The pulp chamber of a tooth is still developing at this time, which means that the centre of the tooth is vulnerable. Teeth whitening procedures carried out at this age can potentially damage teeth or cause discomfort.

●       Pregnant or breastfeeding - Dentists do not recommend teeth whitening treatments for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid any harm to the developing fetus or the baby.

●       Suffering from tooth sensitivity - If you have tooth sensitivity due to any reason, teeth whitening might aggravate it further. The bleaching agents used in teeth whitening gels are strong and are capable of irritating sensitive teeth.

●       Having dental crowns, fillings, or other restorations - The dental crowns are not the same material as your natural teeth and will not respond to teeth whitening methods in the same way. The composite resin material used in dental fillings also remains unaffected by the whitening chemicals. This will result in discrepancies after the whitening treatment which might not look very good. So, in case you have dental crowns or dental fillings, you might need to consult your dentist in Flagstaff before considering teeth whitening.

●       With stains from tetracycline or excess fluoride - For teeth staining caused by exposure to tetracycline or excessive fluoride at an early age, teeth whitening solutions may not be effective. In such cases, it is a better idea to go for dental veneers or caps to get the whitened effect.

●       Having gum infections or tooth vulnerabilities - For people dealing with problems of gum infections or other oral issues, it is important to first deal with those problems before considering teeth whitening. A beautiful smile, first and foremost, begins with good oral health!

The methods used for achieving teeth whitening also play an important role in the final results. Depending on the level of staining, the method of teeth whitening employed can provide lightening effects up to several shades. It is highly recommended that you consult your dentist for teeth whitening in Flagstaff for the best advice on whether it will work for you, which method to adopt, and how to achieve the best results.