Quick Summary
Whitening products contain bleaching agents that break up stains so the colour is less concentrated. It does not work in every situation: it does not affect restorations such as veneers, fillings or crowns, and it is not usually effective on stains from injury or medications. Yellow teeth respond best; brown or grey tones may improve less. Options range from drugstore products to in-office treatment.
You’re not the only one if you feel like your smile has become dull and yellowed. This happens to nearly everyone, and it is the most common complaint that people have about the look of their smiles. There is no reason to live with a discolored smile. Teeth whitening is available to restore your pearly whites.
There are a number of reasons that your smile has changed over the years. Aging causes tooth enamel to thin and allow the yellow-tinged dentin layer to show through. Dark-colored foods and drinks stain teeth, some medications produce the side effect of darkening teeth, and tobacco use creates difficult stains. Teeth may also change color due to mouth trauma.
Whatever the culprit is for your diminished smile, teeth whitening is a simple way to restore it. Whitening products contain bleaching agents that break up stains so that the color is less concentrated and your teeth look brighter. However, teeth whitening does not work in all situations. It does not affect restorations like veneers, fillings or crowns. Whitening is also not usually effective on stains resulting from injury or medications. Yellow teeth are the most likely to respond to teeth whitening, while brown or gray tones might be less improved.
There are numerous options for teeth whitening. Home products are available at your local drugstore like whitening toothpastes, gels, pens, strips and more. These methods focus on removing surface stains from your teeth. At-home bleaching kits are another option, typically obtained from your dentist, that involve filling a mouth tray with a special bleaching solution and wearing the trays for a time period like overnight. These kits are stronger than over-the-counter methods, but not as strong as professional whitening performed in a dental office. It is accomplished in about an hour in the dental chair using a concentrated bleaching agent and special lighting or laser to enhance the process, and provides the most dramatic results.
Consult your dentist for advice on the best whitening methods to use on your teeth. Every patient is different and certain methods may be more effective or comfortable for various people.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Billerica dental office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does whitening work on every kind of stain?
No. Whitening does not affect restorations such as veneers, fillings or crowns, and it is not usually effective on stains resulting from injury or medications. Yellow teeth are the most likely to respond, while brown or grey tones might improve less.
What makes teeth change colour?
Aging causes tooth enamel to thin and allows the yellow-tinged dentin layer to show through. Dark-coloured foods and drinks stain teeth, some medications darken teeth as a side effect, and tobacco use creates difficult stains. Teeth may also change colour due to mouth trauma.
How do at-home kits compare with in-office whitening?
At-home bleaching kits from your dentist involve filling a mouth tray with a bleaching solution and wearing it for a set period, such as overnight. These are stronger than over-the-counter methods but not as strong as professional whitening performed in the dental office, which is done in about an hour using a concentrated bleaching agent and special lighting or laser.
Merry Dental, 337 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA 01821. 978-404-5400. Serving Billerica, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Burlington and Bedford.