Even those of us who brush and floss regularly can develop tooth discoloration that detracts from the quality of our smile.
Regular visits to the dentist for cleaning can help keep your teeth free of plaque and tartar build-up and give your dental hygienist a chance to spot issues like gingivitis or oral cancer. The most thorough scraping and polishing, however, isn’t enough to brighten severely yellowed or stained teeth.
For that kind of smile transformation, you need teeth whitening, just one of the many cosmetic dentistry services performed by our dentists at Bridge Creek Dental.
There Are Two Main Types of Tooth Discoloration
There are two main types of tooth discoloration. Depending on what type is affecting your teeth will determine what can be done to lighten them.
Extrinsic discoloration involves stains on the outer layer of the tooth, resulting from behaviors like:
- Drinking coffee, tea or wine
- Eating certain foods, like berries
- Smoking
A good professional polish may be enough to remove this type of stain.
Intrinsic discoloration occurs when the inner structure of the tooth, called dentin, becomes yellow or darkens. This type of discoloration can have a host of causes, including genetic factors or exposure to certain medications.
The most common reason for intrinsic discoloration, however, is age. Dentin naturally yellows over time. Meanwhile, the enamel covering our teeth thins out as we get older, causing the dentin to show through.
If you have intrinsic discoloration or the stains on the outside of your teeth are particularly stubborn, you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Drugstore Teeth Whiteners Can Harm Your Teeth And Gums
When people become self-conscious about the color of their teeth, their first impulse is often to see what’s on hand at their local drugstore or in the toothpaste aisle at the grocery store.
The problem is that over-the-counter teeth whitening kits often include abrasive substances that can damage your tooth enamel. You can experience gum soreness if you leave whitening strips or gels on longer than suggested. And over-whitening can make your teeth look discolored or translucent, certainly not the effect you’re aiming for!
Our Dentists Can Whiten Your Teeth More Effectively
Teeth whitening performed by professionals like the dentists at Bridge Creek Dental is far safer. For one thing, it’s a relatively simple process. One of our dentists applies a bleaching substance to your teeth, which is then activated by a special light. The procedure is carefully monitored throughout by our doctors, who understand how to protect your teeth and the state of your enamel.
The teeth whitening gel used by our dentists is far stronger than any you can buy yourself, making in-office whitening significantly more effective than do-it-yourself options. In fact, our patients commonly find their teeth are a minimum of three shades lighter after a single treatment.
If you’d like to learn more about teeth whitening procedures or any other dental service, contact Bridge Creek Dental at (406) 652-1600 for a consultation. We look forward to serving you!