Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

If your teeth are stained from coffee and other dark substances, you may feel that you have to give up your favorite drinks and foods to avoid dental discoloration. Even though limiting your consumption of foods and beverages that contain dark pigments may help you avoid deeper discoloration, it will not erase the discoloration that is already present. Here are a few ways to restore or improve the whiteness of your teeth:

Peroxide-based Non-professional Whiteners

Whitening kits can be purchased over-the-counter to help improve the color of your teeth. The kits use hydrogen peroxide to help bleach away dental stains. 

Food and beverage-based stains occur when pigments from the items you ingest are absorbed by the pores within your tooth enamel. These pigments gradually build up, resulting in visible discoloration. 

The whitening products in the kits remove surface stains by accessing the residue in the pore and bleaching it. Still, it is important to only use the kits exactly as prescribed on the packaging. Using over-the-counter whitening products too frequently can cause dental sensitivity. In extreme cases, if the dental nerves remain inflamed, a root canal must be performed to alleviate the discomfort.

Whitening at  a Local Dental Office

Your dentist can whiten your teeth using professional products that bleach away dental stains quickly and effectively. During the treatment, the dentist applies the product to the enamel surface and allows it to remain in place for the suggested period. However, first, the dentist protects your gums to avoid inflaming them. 

You may choose to have multiple whitening sessions based on the level of discoloration of your teeth. Nevertheless, your teeth will likely be noticeably whitened after a single whitening session. 

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers hide dental discoloration. They are attached to the front of the teeth and look like white, straight teeth. Each veneer, which is a wafer-thin, tooth-shaped piece of porcelain, is fashioned to cover a tooth, while still appearing natural.

The thinness of the a veneer helps it to match your natural bite pattern. In addition, a tiny bit of tooth enamel is removed before the veneer placement to help it fit perfectly with your natural alignment.

Because the whiteness of a veneer can be selected, veneers can usually offer a brighter color of white than chemical bleaching products.

To learn more about tooth-whitening options that may be effective for your teeth, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in your area.