Teeth whitening is a common request within dentistry. Nobody likes walking around with yellowed teeth. Whiter teeth make for a beautiful smile and boost confidence to show that smile off as often as possible. Whiter teeth also have other benefits outside of the obvious.
Wear and Tear
Did you know that whitening your teeth fights the aging and wear on your teeth? Teeth take a beating throughout our life. Not to mention, coffee is more popular than it’s ever been. Coffee can cause teeth to become yellowed over time. If you don’t want to give up your coffee every morning, then it would be a great idea to get your teeth regularly whitened. This way, you don’t have to give up your bright white smile either.
Coffee and aging, in general, aren’t the only wear and tear on our teeth. All the sugars and processed foods that are common these days are too. They wear away at the enamel of your teeth causing them to appear dull. This is true with things such as citrus fruits as well. The acidic nature of the fruits erodes the enamel on your teeth and can cause a dull appearance over time as well.
Two of the main causes for teeth turning yellow are tobacco, smoking, and alcohol. Tobacco products are one of the worst items you can put in your mouth. Not only does chewing and smoking cause your teeth to be severely stained, but it affects the rest of your oral health as well. This can lead to other major treatments being needed which far surpass a basic teeth whitening. However, if you choose to use tobacco products or alcohol, it would be beneficial to schedule a teeth whitening on the regular. This will ensure that your teeth are at least staying stain free and healthy.
Whitening Options
Depending on the level of whitening needed, a professional whitening is not always needed. There are many over the counter options for effectively gaining that white smile you’re looking for. Of course, not all whitening products are safe and it’s always good to check with your dentistry professional if you’re not sure. Some products can make the issue worse which will cause a professional appointment anyways. There are many safe options such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, strips, etc. that can be suggested by your dentist.
If you’re just wanting to skip all the basic options and go straight for the professional cleaning, that’s also a great choice. Whitening options by a professional include option such as laser whitening, whitening trays, etc. Simply ask your dentist what options they offer and they will discuss your best options based on your specific needs.
