Your teeth put up with a lot. They’re exposed to food and drink day in and day out. Over time they can take quite a beating, and lose some of their natural white luster.
There are many different ways to whiten your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing certainly help, and store-bought toothpastes and whitening kits have mixed results. If you want the best results, go for a customized solution. Klooster Family Dentistry’s teeth whitening kits can brighten up your smile!
Causes of Discoloration
There are two primary kinds of discoloration:
- Extrinsic: the most common kind of discoloration, extrinsic damage is caused by external substances staining your enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth. Your morning coffee and your afternoon Coke are likely culprits. It manifests as a brown or yellow tint to your normally lustrous, white enamel.
- Intrinsic: this discoloration is the fault of dentin, the inner structure of your teeth between the pulp and enamel. Intrinsic discoloration is usually the fault of trauma, early exposure to certain chemicals, or genetic defects. It also yellows naturally with age; naturally thinning enamel lets it show through.
Though there are procedures to address intrinsic discoloration, our teeth whitening kits work best on extrinsic discoloration. This is because they contact the enamel directly.
How it Works
Professional teeth whitening consists of two components: a gel and a tray.
During your appointment, your dentist cleans your teeth and takes a mold of your upper and lower arch. This mold is used to create a tray custom-fitted to your teeth. That custom fit is very important, as it keeps the whitening gel from leaking out and irritating your gums.
After your trays are made, your dentist will show you how to apply the whitening gel to them. From there, you just slip the trays over your teeth! You’ll need to wear them for 2-4 hours a day for around two weeks. You’ll notice a difference within only a few days.
Though teeth whitening is not permanent, its results can last for years. Touch-up kits are available for maintenance every 6-12 months, and changing your habits can also increase its effectiveness. Overall, teeth whitening is a simple and effective solution to improve your smile.