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Teeth Whitening products
Teeth Whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on All Teeth?
No, which is why it’s important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all. Whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings. It also won’t be effective if your tooth discoloration is caused by medications or a tooth injury.
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Brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth bright, white and healthy. Still, if you might feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or is more yellow than it used to be, you’re not alone. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists also found that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening.
Thinking about teeth whitening? Get the facts first. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about the process.
Why Did My Teeth Change Color?
Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons:
Food and Drink
Coffee, tea and red wine are some major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense color pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel).
Tobacco Use
Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: Tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark. Nicotine is colorless until it’s mixed with oxygen. Then, it turns into a yellowish, surface-staining substance.
Age
Below the hard, white outer shell of your teeth (enamel) is a softer area calleddentin. Over time, the outer enamel layer gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.
Trauma
If you’ve been hit in the mouth, your tooth may change color because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel.
Medications
Tooth darkening can be a side effect of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming (either in the womb or as a baby) may have discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken teeth.
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Don’t forget to schedule regular dental exams or dental check-ups to keep your smile, and yourself, healthy.
Regular dental visits and dental cleanings are important because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable.
Today’s cosmetic dentistry includes tooth whitening, bonding, tooth-colored dental restoration and fillings, porcelain veneers, orthodontics, dental implants, and more.
Cosmetic bonding is a process where the dentist attaches or “bonds” materials directly to your tooth in order to change the color and shape.
A dental crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance.
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth.
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may notice a difference in chewing and speaking. Dental bridges can help restore your smile.
Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases.
An extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding.
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing.
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp (soft tissue inside your teeth containing blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue) becomes inflamed or diseased.
After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth—just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm.
Talk to your dentist before starting any type of teeth whitening. If you are a candidate, there are three ways to put the shine back in your smile.
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth.
It’s important to take sleep apnoea seriously. Start by completing this clinically-developed quiz to see if you might be at risk.