Dreaming of a Whiter Smile? It Might Be Easier to Achieve Than You Think!
Getting a whiter, brighter smile might be easier than you think. Teeth whitening could be the solution you need to achieve the smile you desire. Professional teeth whitening is a fast, safe, and non-invasive procedure that removes stains and gives you a stunning smile.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
The first and most obvious benefit of teeth whitening is that your teeth will be whiter and brighter, but there are other benefits that come from this treatment:
- Confidence boost — In this case, looking better really does lead to feeling better. When you’re more confident about your smile, you will feel more self-assured and relaxed when interacting with others.
- Non-invasive and safe — Professional whitening uses safe products that will not cause discomfort or damage your tooth enamel or sensitive gums.
- Fast — In-office treatment provides visible results in a single session, which usually only takes an hour.
- Remove stains — Coffee and tea, wine and cigarettes, blueberries and blackberries: these can all permanently stain your teeth. Whitening removes these stains and gives you a brighter smile.
- Encourage good oral hygiene — Patients often feel more motivated to maintain their whitened teeth by keeping up with or adopting more positive oral hygiene habits like brushing more thoroughly, flossing more frequently, and scheduling regular check-ups.
Professional teeth whitening is generally a better option than over-the-counter products, but many dentists also offer take-home kits and provide clear instructions on how to use them, making the process even more convenient.
What Causes Staining?
There are several factors that contribute to staining, all of which are part of most people’s daily routines.
- Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, cola, and certain fruit juices (think dark colors like grape and cranberry)can all stain your teeth
- Blue, red, or purple foods like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, pomegranates, beets, tomato-based sauces, soy sauce, and curry, while all delicious, can contribute to staining your teeth.
- Smoking or chewing tobacco causes yellow or brown stains.
- Acidic foods and drinks like soda and balsamic vinegar tend to wear down tooth enamel, which makes your teeth more susceptible to staining.
- Poor oral hygiene causes stains as plaque builds up and remains on teeth.
- Medication, including certain antibiotics, can cause discoloration.
- As you age, tooth enamel gets thinner, and the dentin underneath is more visible.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Teeth
Knowing the causes can help prevent staining. You may not be willing to give up coffee or wine, but there are some things you can do to help mitigate their effects:
- Drink water after consuming foods or drinks that cause staining.
- We cannot stress enough how important brushing and flossing are — brush at least twice a day, floss every day, as soon after eating or drinking as possible.
- Eating crunchy foods like apples and carrots can help clean your teeth after having food or drinks that stain.
- Regular cleanings are important to keep your teeth healthy and to prevent tartar buildup.
Contact us to schedule an appointment at our office located in Burton, MI, if you are considering professional teeth whitening. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
