Your Guide to Having White Teeth

White smiles look good and boost confidence. But over time, teeth grow dull and discolored. How can you achieve a smile that will turn your teeth shades brighter? 

Here is your guide to having white teeth. 

What Causes Staining? 

There are many different things that can cause staining. We are to blame for some of them whereas others are caused due to things outside of our control. Let’s take a look at all the reasons teeth become stained. 

• Poor oral hygiene
• Consuming foods or beverages that cause staining (such as red wine, coffee, food dyes, acidic foods like berries, citrus, tomatoes, etc.)
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Aging 
• Genetics
• Previous dental work
• Dental trauma
• Medications and illnesses

Regardless of why teeth are stained, different solutions are available to obtain a brighter, whiter smile. 

Teeth Whitening Options

Many teeth whitening options are available, each offering you a different degree of whitening. 

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening 

You can purchase teeth-whitening kits nearly anywhere they sell oral care products. Though they may work to provide you with some whitening, they are the least effective. And, the results are often quite minimal. 

It is important to note that these products have very little bleaching agent in them due to safety reasons. What’s more, without being customized for your teeth, they usually end up providing uneven results.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is done under the care of a dental professional. As such, this type of treatment comes with a higher concentration of a bleaching agent which will help you to yield the greatest results. 

In-office treatments are handled by a dental professional at your dentist’s office. These typically only require one visit and will leave your teeth several shades whiter. 

At-home teeth whitening treatments are also available. These are customized for you and will be given under the direction and guidance of your dentist’s office. This treatment is done at home over a certain amount of time, usually several days or a couple of weeks. You can expect to receive dramatic results, as well. 

Alternative Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Some teeth are discolored deep inside and won’t respond to traditional teeth whitening treatments — even those from your dentist. 

Thankfully, there are still options to whiten these teeth that can give you the smile you are hoping for. One that has been growing in popularity is dental veneers. This involves placing a shell over the front of the discolored tooth in order to cover up the imperfection. 

Dental veneers are long-lasting solutions that are custom-created to fit beautifully amongst your other teeth. 

Discuss alternative options that will help you achieve the white smile you are seeking. 

Keeping Teeth White After Treatment

After traditional teeth whitening treatments from your dentist, the results are going to be dramatic.  While they will eventually begin to fade due to normal life, there are a few things that you can do in an attempt to extend the results.

• Visit your dentist for routine cleanings every 6 months
• Improve your oral hygiene routine
• Avoid foods and beverages that cause staining to teeth 
• Stop smoking
• Use whitening toothpaste

You may even want to consider talking to your dentist about at-home treatments in the interim to keep your color fresh and bright white. 

Teeth Whitening at Schaus Dental Studio

Are you interested in learning more about teeth whitening? Our team at Schaus Dental Studio would love to show you what a professional teeth whitening treatment can do for your smile.  

Contact us today at 763-525-0306. Or, request an appointment online.