Whitening
Whitening procedures have effectively restored the smile of people with stained, dull, or discolored teeth. Lifestyle choices such as drinking tea and coffee, red wine, and smoking can add stains that darken teeth. Genetics (some people are just born with darker teeth) and medications can also contribute to darker shades of teeth. More and more people today are choosing tooth-whitening procedures to reverse the effects of aging and abuse from food and tobacco stains. Some commercially available “whitening toothpaste” can be somewhat effective at removing stains and making teeth a few shades brighter. However, many of these products have abrasive substances that can actually wear away your tooth’s enamel.
Whitening agents actually change the color of your teeth but are only effective on certain types of stains. For example, bleaching agents have a difficult time removing intrinsic stains (typically dark gray). These products also are not as effective on pitted or badly discolored teeth or on restorations such as crowns, bridges, bonding, and tooth-colored fillings. Porcelain veneers or dental bonding may be more appropriate in this case. Professional whitening performed by our office is considered to be the most effective and safest method; done properly, tooth whitening can last as long as five years. Over-the-counter whitening systems are somewhat effective as long as they are monitored and directions followed closely.
