Teeth whitening is the process of lightening the color of your teeth. Over time and with age, teeth appear yellow. Whitening will not make your teeth brilliant white, but it will lighten the existing color.

 

What Causes Discoloration?

Teeth may discolor due to many reasons. The most common causes are aging and genetics. However, other everyday activities can discolor your teeth. These include:

 

• Smoking and use of tobacco
   

• Poor dental hygiene
   

• Some foods and drinks
   

• Some medications
   

• Water containing fluoride
   

• Diseases affecting the enamel and dentin
  
   

Some of the above causes like poor dental hygiene, smoking, and using tobacco require a change of habit. Otherwise, they may lead to other serious issues with time.

 

How Stains Form

Depending on the cause of discoloration, stains form in different ways. They can form on the outside or inner surface of the enamel. Extrinsic stains are those on the outside surface of the enamel. The cause of these stains is food with dark pigments, smoking, or using tobacco. They can range from white streaks, yellow tints, or brown spots.

 

Intrinsic stains are from within the inner structure of the tooth. The inner structure, the dentin, darkens or has a yellow or gray tint. The causes are tooth decay, genetics, too much fluoride, or certain medications. Aging can also cause your enamel to wear away and give your teeth a yellow appearance. The cause of age-related discoloration can be both extrinsic and intrinsic.

 

Teeth whitening can help you get your bright smile back regardless of the staining. So how do you know if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening?

 

Good Candidates for Teeth Whitening

Almost anyone can benefit from teeth whitening, but the number of treatments necessary will vary. The best candidates are those with healthy gums and teeth that do not have fillings or restoration work previously done. The kind of treatment will also depend on the oral condition of the patient.

 

Extrinsic Stains

Yellow or brownish stains from drinking tea, coffee, or using tobacco are the easiest to remove. This is because they are on the surface of the teeth. However, heavy smokers, frequent and heavy drinkers of tea and coffee, are less likely to achieve good results. They need to be ready to stop the habits and willing to endure and maintain the whitening process.

 

Intrinsic Stains

These stains rest below the surface of the enamel. The candidates require patience and dedication to achieve satisfactory results. The gel needs to pass through the enamel pores to the dentin. The grey color of intrinsic stains is one of the hardest to remove from teeth. The teeth will require more applications and sessions than those with extrinsic stains.

 

If you have periodontal disease or sensitive teeth, whitening your teeth may not be for you. It may irritate your gums and teeth. However, there are many ways to restore your smile. You can consult your dentist and explore options like veneers or bonding.


 

For more information on teeth whitening, contact the office of SmileOn Dentistry in Marina Del Rey, California at (310) 822-0202 today to book an appointment.