Smoking, soda, coffee, and age can all work together to give you a less than white smile.
The extent of your staining determines the best method for brightening your teeth to a sparkling white.
Luckily, with the variety of in-office and at-home tooth whitening options, you're likely to find a treatment that will work for your stains and for your budget.
Regardless of the extent of your tooth staining, there is a treatment option.
Easy Remedies For A Stunning White If you only have mild staining on your teeth, brushing with a whitening toothpaste and flossing well may restore the natural whiteness of your teeth.
Scheduling regular appointments with your dentist for cleanings will also help keep your teeth healthy and white.
You can make your own whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Mix enough baking soda to form a paste with two to three teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide.
Brush the paste onto your teeth and let it sit for two minutes before rinsing and then brushing with your regular toothpaste.
Many discount, drug, and grocery stores offer over-the-counter tooth bleaching kits.
However, the FDA does not approve or recommend of their use due to the potential for gum damage.
If you decide to use these over-the-counter kits, make sure you follow the provided directions exactly and stop using the product if you experience even slight discomfort.
Stronger Whitening Tooth bleaching is a common procedure performed by dentists and it usually only takes about an hour.
During a tooth whitening procedure, a dental professional applies a whitening gel to your teeth before shining a special light on your teeth to activate the gel.
Depending on the extent of your staining, you may require more than one treatment, which can mean possibly scheduling two to three more appointments.
Typically, the only side effect to in-office tooth whitening is tooth sensitivity, which may last from a couple of hours two a couple of days.
Another professional option includes at-home bleaching kits purchased from your dentist.
At-home whitening kits use a tray system just like most over-the-counter kits.
You put whitening solution in the trays and place them in your mouth over your teeth, holding them there for a specific amount of time.
Because at-home kits include custom mouth trays professionally made in your dentist's office, they usually do a better job since they form to the exact shape of your teeth.
This means the bleaching solution can get into small or odd-sized areas that regular 'one size fits all' over-the-counter trays usually miss.
Porcelain Veneers The most invasive treatment for achieving a sparkling white smile involves placing porcelain veneers on your teeth.
Porcelain veneers are custom made porcelain shells that a dentist applies over your teeth.
While this is the most expensive option, veneers will last a long time, up to twenty years, and they correct the alignment of your smile by covering damaged or misshapen teeth.
This whitening procedure involves altering the structure of your teeth because your dentist removes part of each tooth receiving a veneer through shaping and drilling to make room for the veneer.
This ensures the veneer looks natural and not as if it were just stuck on top of your existing tooth.
Regardless of whether you consult a dentist, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, or anywhere else in the country, tooth whitening provides a great way to improve your smile and look younger.
However, taking the time to do research and consult a dentist is crucial to getting optimal results.
Remember, whitening your natural teeth is not permanent, but you can extend the length of your whitening treatment by avoiding habits, food, and beverages that will give you new stains.