Time has gone by, and you are disappointed by how your smile looks. It’s healthy, and that’s a blessing, but your teeth are dull and yellow. Is there a good way to improve their color in time for holiday gatherings? Teeth whitening from Silver Lake dentist, Dr. Michael Michel, could be your answer.
Reasons for Dental Stains
Tooth enamel is composed of a network of rock hard minerals, but because it is a network, or matrix, enamel catches and holds organic matter from the foods we eat. When dental hygiene is poor, that organic matter discolors teeth.
However, even with the best of brushing and flossing, teeth stain because of age, cigarette smoking, some prescription drugs and darkly pigmented foods and beverages such as:
- Blueberries and blackberries
- Red wine
- Black tea
- Coffee
- Colas
- Sports drinks
- Curry dishes
- Soy sauce
Extrinsic, or surface, stains related to diet often leave teeth yellowed. Fortunately, there is remedy for this aesthetic smile issue. It’s called professional teeth whitening, and your cosmetic dentist in Silver Lake offers it to individuals with healthy teeth and gums.
How Teeth Whitening Works
There are many teeth whitening products on the market. However, strips, toothpastes, and rinses have limited ability to correct years of stains. Plus, lack of professional supervision and poorly fitting over the counter trays can leave teeth and gums with painful sensitivity issues.
So, cosmetic dentists offer in-office and at-home professional whitening systems which quickly, effectively and safely brighten tooth color by several shades. The key ingredient is a powerful hydrogen peroxide gel that lifts stains out of that mineral matrix we call tooth enamel. Here’s how it works.
After Dr. Michel has determined that a patient’s teeth and gums are healthy enough for professional teeth whitening, he offers him or her an in-office or at-home version. In-office whitening takes about an hour, and at-home whitening takes several days of daily application with custom-fitted whitening trays.
During the in-office version, the dentist protects the gums and other soft oral tissues with a thin plastic dam. He then swabs on the hydrogen peroxide gel, allowing it to seep into the teeth while the patient relaxes in the dental chair. When the whitening process is complete, the gel is rinsed off, and the smile is amazingly brighter.
Caring for a Whitened Smile
Your professionally whitened smile can last indefinitely with occasional touch-ups at Michel Dental. Also, these maintenance tips help keep that enamel bright:
- Stop smoking
- Drink plenty of water daily to stimulate saliva, Nature’s own tooth washer
- Limit coffee, tea, colas and other staining beverages, or drink them with a straw
- Buffer acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus, by pairing them with dairy products such as hard cheeses
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to remove plaque from in between teeth and at the gum line
- Get twice yearly exams and professional cleanings at Michel Dental
It’s Not too Late
Flash a bright smile at that holiday party. Contact Michel Dental for a cosmetic dentistry consultation. Teeth whitening be your answer for a white smile.