Why aren’t my teeth white anymore?
Everybody wants a smile full of bright, white teeth, but there are many factors that can cause your teeth to lose their luster, including:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Eating stain-causing foods, like tomato sauces and berries
- Drinking stain-causing beverages, like coffee, soda, red wine, and tea
- Using tobacco products
- Medications, like certain antihistamines and antipsychotics
- Early exposure (before eight years old) to some antibiotics
Your teeth also lose their whiteness as you get older. Over time, the hard outer layer (enamel) wears down. Meanwhile, the soft inner layer (dentin) naturally turns yellow, which is more visibly apparent because of the thinning enamel.
How do you whiten my teeth?
Dr. Shenasi offers two types of whitening treatments at Dental Town DC:
Philips Zoom!®
In-office whitening with Philips Zoom! can make your smile up to ten shades whiter with an easy procedure that takes less than an hour. Dr. Shenasi applies a protective barrier to your gums and lips, and then carefully paints a whitening gel on the surface of your teeth.
She uses a low-intensity light to enhance the stain-removing capabilities of the whitening gel, which penetrates your enamel and breaks up the pigmentations. You leave the office with an instantly whiter smile.
At-home whitening
At-home whitening involves custom-designed whitening trays that Dr. Shenasi makes using an impression. She sends you home with a professional-strength whitening solution that you put in the trays and wear on your teeth for a prescribed amount of time. After a few days of regular use, your smile will be 4-8 shades whiter.
Is teeth whitening for me?
Teeth whitening is a safe, easy, and noninvasive procedure that can produce dramatic results. To safely whiten your teeth, however, you need to have healthy gums.
If you’re experiencing gum disease, Dr. Shenasi might recommend periodontal surgery to get the infection under control before whitening your teeth.
Another thing to consider before you whiten your teeth is that certain restorations, like crowns, bridges, and veneers, don’t respond to whitening treatments. Because of this, you might need to replace your restorations after you whiten your teeth so they match the rest of your smile.
If you’re interested in brightening your smile, book a teeth whitening appointment with Dr. Shenasi by calling Dental Town DC today or using the online tool to schedule a visit.
