Stained, yellowed teeth can add years to a person's appearance. If you are looking to whiten your smile, you're in luck, as teeth whitening is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic treatments requested by patients today. Teeth whitening from a dental professional is one of the quickest and most cost-effective cosmetic dental procedures available to improve the look of your teeth. The term “whitening” refers to restoring a tooth's surface color by removing dirt and debris. Whether in the form of whitening sessions at your dentist's office, or home-use of whitening kits provided by your dentist, teeth whitening solutions are fast-acting and effective. A Look at Tooth Discoloration Tooth discoloration falls under two different categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic discoloration occurs in the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel, and the stains can range from white streaks to yellow tints or even brown spots and pits. Intrinsic discoloration occurs in the inner structure of the tooth, called the dentin, in which the dentin darkens or displays a yellow tint to the tooth. Some of the causes of tooth discoloration include, but are not limited to: • Certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, wines, potatoes, cherries and blueberries. • Tobacco use • Poor dental hygiene such as inadequate brushing and flossing • Diseases affecting enamel and dentin • Medications • Aging • Trauma, such as a fall or any other injury that might damage the nerves or chips/cracks the teeth In-Office Whitening Professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic procedure today. Unlike at-home-use whitening, in-office whitening takes place under carefully monitored conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel, which yields results that can be visible immediately. Some advantages of in-office whitening include: • No other teeth whitening procedure produces faster results. • Safest form of tooth whitening. • Gum and tooth sensitivity are controllable. Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits Many dentists offer professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits that are considered to produce the best results in the long run. These take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use lower concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or longer, sometime overnight. The lower the peroxide percentage, the longer it may safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to your teeth by using a custom-made tray that resembles a mouth guard. Professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits contain higher percentages than over-the-counter kits and typically consist of custom-fitted trays made of a flexible plastic material, much like a mouth guard. These custom trays offer a host of benefits such as: • Ensures that the bleach stays in contact with the teeth for maximum whitening. • Prevents saliva from coming into contact with the bleaching agent. • Minimizes the amount of bleach that can leak onto the gums. Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. Before beginning your whitening process, consult your cosmetic dentist in New Paltz for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them. Your expectations play a significant role in the teeth whitening process. To ensure the health of your smile, visit your Highland dentist before choosing an over-the-counter tooth whitener and beginning the whitening processes. Your dentist can make the best recommendation based on your individual needs.
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Valued by both men and women, teeth whitening has become an increasingly popular procedure in the world of cosmetic dentistry. From in-office whitening to at-home whitening, your options for a brighter, whiter smile are numerous. Continue reading to learn more about how your dentist can help you whiten your smile.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Marlin Schwartz, a cosmetic dentist in Highland, Stone Ridge, New Paltz, Rosendale and Clintondale. Providing comprehensive dental care including dental implants, veneers and Invisalign in Highland, Dr. Schwartz is a highly-regarded dentist in Stone Ridge, Clintondale, New Paltz and Highland in New York.
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