When you have stains on your teeth, these could be a source of embarrassment. But you don’t have to hide your smile, or hope for the best with store bought strips and toothpastes. Instead, we could offer smiles several shades brighter! In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about teeth whitening.
Our Trays and Gel
You can easily purchase strips and toothpastes, but these have their downsides. For example, the trays could be a source of tooth sensitivity, and the results aren’t very dramatic and don’t last long. The toothpastes could contain abrasive agents that not only remove stains, but weaken enamel to cause sensitivity. Instead, we can offer a professional option to remove stains and brighten your smile. First, you will come to the office so we can create a custom set of plastic trays. We then send these home with you, along with syringes of bleaching gel.
At home, you will fill the trays with gel and wear them for about an hour a day, over a period of one to two weeks, depending on the severity of your discoloration. These teeth whitening trays ensure even results across your smile and prevent the gel from being diluted by saliva. You could see teeth brightened by up to eight shades in many cases! The trays and leftover gel are then yours to use as needed for future touch-ups.
What Causes Teeth Stains?
Understanding the cause of your discoloration can help you keep your teeth brighter for longer periods. For example, avoid drinks with lots of sugar and dark pigments, as these can lead to stains that need removal with teeth whitening. Drink water in lieu of soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, or fruit juices. Coffee, tea, and red wine could stain the smile too. You should also enjoy a healthier diet low in foods and snacks high in sugar and starch, as they encourage the plaque buildup that makes discoloration more visible. Be sure you brush and floss daily to control plaque buildup, and see us every six months for a cleaning so we can remove buildup and polish your smile. Try to avoid tobacco products too!
Masking Permanent Discoloration
Sometimes, discoloration appears beneath the enamel, not on the surface of the teeth. Known as intrinsic stains, these can be difficult to remove with teeth whitening treatments like trays and gel. But we can still offer you a brighter smile! With dental bonding and porcelain veneers, we can simply mask them. If you have questions about teeth whitening, then contact our team today!
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT REMOVING DISCOLORATION
We want to help you enjoy your brightest possible smile. If you would like to learn more about fighting dental discoloration, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
