Teeth Whitening

Dingy, stained, and discolored teeth are a distraction. They are also one of the easiest things to correct, often responding well to topical treatments such as teeth whitening.

How to Whiten Teeth

Topical stains are the most common reason for tooth discoloration. You can help prevent the issue by reducing your intake of dark foods and beverages or using a straw to consume things like coffee, tea, and wine. You can help remove surface stains by brushing after every meal and snack.

Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of teeth whitening. This can be true even for people who do not otherwise experience sensitive teeth.

Everyone wants a perfect smile. No one wants to have to undergo a series of lengthy, involved, and invasive treatments to get one, though. Knowing the fastest ways to improve your smile can help save you time and money. It can also help ensure you look and feel your absolute best at all times.

There are two types of tooth staining: intrinsic, which occurs below the enamel, and extrinsic, which occur on top.

Food, beverage, and lifestyle choices are often the primary causes of extrinsic stains with some of the biggest culprits being:

• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Soda and sports drinks
• Dark foods and sauces

Inadequate oral hygiene can also cause extrinsic stains.

There are two types of tooth stains:

• Extrinsic. External stains can be caused by darker foods and beverages, tobacco use, and inadequate brushing
• Intrinsic. Internal stains may result from trauma, tooth infection and gum disease, excess fluoride, certain medications, and the process of aging

To whiten teeth, stains must either be removed or covered. Which option will be the most useful for your smile is dependent on the cause, location, and extent of your tooth discoloration.

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month, an effort by Prevent Blindness America (PBA) that asks us to consider the age-appropriateness of a gift before giving it to a child. Primarily focused on preventing injury, recommendations from PBA include:

A recent study from the ADA found that 28% of young adult respondents and 29% of lower-income adult respondents believe that the appearance of their smiles has negatively impacted their ability to get a job.

One of your most prominent facial features, your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. A smile that is yellowed, dingy, or otherwise unattractive can, in some circumstances, make you look more aged and unhealthy.

Brush your teeth after every meal and snack. This remains the most effective way to prevent tooth staining. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and quality toothpaste, brush your teeth in all directions for at least two minutes if you are using a manual toothbrush, one for electric, to remove surface stains before they have time to set.