Over the years your teeth may have yellowed or darkened a few shades and your smile may not be as bright or white anymore. This happens due to natural wear and tear of enamel, which is the hard protective layer on the surface of your teeth. But don’t worry, your smile can be brought back to its former glory with a simple and easy teeth whitening procedure.
There are several reasons why teeth turn yellow or dark. The yellowness of teeth does not always mean that there is some serious medical condition, but it can reduce your confidence. Since yellowness usually happens gradually over time, it can easily get overlooked, and one fine day you might just notice in the mirror or in a photograph that your teeth have yellowed. Here are some common reasons for teeth yellowing.
Age is the most common reason why teeth turn dark. As part of the normal aging process, the strong white enamel can fade over time and the underlying darker dentin starts showing through.
If you have the habit of smoking, tobacco can stain the teeth and will progressively darken over time. Tobacco also increases the risk of gum diseases.
Poor oral hygiene is also another common reason for dark teeth. Plaque and tartar build-up can dull the whiteness of the teeth.
Genetics can also play a part in the yellowness of teeth. Some people have enamel that is more yellow than usual.
If you have some illness that affects the enamel, teeth can turn yellow.
If you are some medication such as tetracycline, it can darken the teeth, especially in children under 8 years of age. Chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer can also result in the darkening of teeth to a brownish colour.
There are different ways to whiten your teeth, but in-office teeth whitening at the dental clinic is the most effective one that delivers the best results. At Cross Road Dental practice, teeth whitening is one of the most popular procedures that we perform.
This is a simple and fast procedure which can typically be completed during your lunch hour. A peroxide based bleaching product is applied on your teeth and a high intensity light is shone over it to enhance the whitening. The bleaching product may be applied multiple times till the desired shade is achieved. Your teeth may feel sensitive after the procedure.
A less expensive option though is custom whitening trays which you can use at home. Many of our patients opt for whitening trays to control the level of whitening they want.
If you are busy and cannot spare time for an in-chair whitening procedure, you can use take-home whitening trays. These trays are moulded from your teeth to ensure the best fit and comfort. Teeth whitening gel is applied on the trays and they are worn over the teeth a few hours a day. You will see that the teeth will progressively whiten. Simply stop wearing the trays once the desired level of brightness is achieved. Our dentist can advise you on the desired duration.
Whitening trays can also be used to maintain the brightness of your smile. Just wear the trays once in a while, as advised by the dentist.
If you want to learn more about the teeth whitening process or check if you are a suitable candidate, give us a call right away. Our friendly staff will book an appointment with our dentist at a time that is convenient for you.
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