Teeth Whitening Tips That Will Brighten Stained Teeth

Most people long to have the much-coveted celebrity smile characterized by brilliantly white and perfectly aligned teeth. However, this might not be the case for everyone. Stains might have marred your smile, making the picture-perfect smile you dream of a far-fetched idea.

But that smile is still achievable by visiting our Westport dentist for teeth whitening in Westport. Teeth whitening in Westport, CT, is one of the most sought-after procedures in dentistry. A dazzling white smile is enchanting; who wouldn’t want to have one?

However, teeth whitening is always the cherry on top. It comes after the hard work of keeping your teeth clean and disease-free. This is an everyday commitment to ensure that your teeth are healthy.

Dentistry has progressed, and we now have many different options that you can choose from to brighten your teeth. These options range from natural teeth whitening products to teeth whitening at home and even professional teeth whitening.

In any case, you will be better equipped to make the right choices when you have enough knowledge about teeth whitening in Westport, CT.

How Did Your Teeth Get Stained?

First things first, your teeth got stained somehow, right? You can have excellent oral hygiene, but it can feel as though your teeth aren’t white enough. The problem is that most people might mistake yellow teeth for dirty teeth. However, several things can stain your teeth, including:

• Age

As the years’ progress, your enamel (the protective layer of the tooth) starts thinning. Therefore, the inner softer part of the tooth (dentin), which has a yellowish hue, becomes exposed.

• Foods and Drinks

Tea, coffee, and red wine are the major drinks that stain the teeth. They have intense color pigments known as chromogens that attach to the porous surface of your teeth. Foods that have intense colors can also stain teeth, such as curry and dark fruits.

• Medications

There are certain medications that are known to stain teeth as one of their side effects. Therefore, always check the labels.

• Tobacco

Out of all the substances that stain teeth, tobacco is the most notorious. It contains tar and nicotine. Nicotine is colorless but turns yellow when exposed to oxygen. On the other hand, tar is dark.

Types of Stains

All stains are not the same. The type of stain will determine the proper teeth whitening solution. However, here are the three main types of stains:

• Extrinsic stains. As the name suggests, these stains are the ones that appear on the surface of your teeth. They mainly arise from what we consume. These stains can be removed by professional teeth whitening.
• Intrinsic stains. These stains occur in the inner part of the tooth. They can be difficult to remove. If teeth whitening doesn’t work, then veneers are the next best thing.
• Age-related stains. This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic stains. This is because as you age, your enamel thins and exposes the dentin. Plus, the foods and drinks that you consume will eventually stain your teeth.

Ways of Whitening Teeth

Teeth whitening should always be a by-product of excellent dental health. If you whiten your teeth but have poor oral hygiene, it would be counterintuitive. However, here are the ways that you can brighten your teeth:

• Whitening Toothpaste

In a nutshell, all whitening kinds of toothpaste have mild bleaching agents and mild abrasives that are used to whiten teeth. However, this method isn’t effective for stubborn stains.

• Whitening Strips and Gels

This whitening system uses peroxide-based gels that you can apply directly to your teeth using a small brush.

Whitening strips are thin and coated with peroxide whitening gel. These are simple to use as long as you follow the instructions.

• Professional Teeth Whitening

If you need instant teeth whitening, professional whitening is the best way to go. If you have stained teeth from smoking or stained teeth after braces are removed, or any other stubborn stain, professional teeth whitening is the most effective option.

We use hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent. But before you get the treatment, our dentist will first clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Then protective measures will be put in place to protect your gums, cheeks, and lips since peroxide can burn soft tissue.

Our dentist will apply the bleaching agent to your teeth. Then you will lie under a special light so that the peroxide can be activated. The results are instant. All the other options need time and, at times, weeks before you see visible change.

We can reapply the bleaching agent after 20 minutes for you to attain the shade you wanted for more dramatic results.

If you have any questions concerning teeth whitening, please contact our Westport dentist at Advanced Dental of Westport CT to schedule an appointment.