What Causes Teeth to Stain?
While daily brushing and flossing are the foundation for keeping your teeth bright and healthy, over time, certain substances, foods and beverages can gradually darken and yellow even the best maintained teeth.
Some common causes of tooth staining:
- Tobacco smoke/chew
- Red wine
- Tea
- Coffee
- Certain medications
- Getting older
For those looking to enhance their smile and reduce yellowing for cosmetic purposes, teeth whitening is a great option.
How Effective is Teeth Whitening?
For natural teeth, teeth whitening is extremely effective and most people are surprised at how stunning their teeth can get (or how yellow their teeth once were compared to how white they become!). However, teeth whitening isn’t for everyone or every tooth, shall we say. Discoloration caused by injury or medications will not respond to teeth whitening and it is also not very effective on caps, crowns, veneers or fillings. Teeth whitening is only effective on natural tooth enamel.
Are There Any Side Effects from Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening can increase tooth sensitivity to very cold and hot liquids and foods. Often the sensitivity is temporary and will improve when the treatment is over and your teeth are whitened. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and never hesitate to Dr Helen if you have any questions or concerns!
If you want to know if tooth whitening is suitable for you, call Dr Helen’s Dental & Implant Studio today!
Will whitening my teeth damage them?
