What causes tooth discoloration?
Tooth discoloration is common as you get older. Years of built-up stains can settle into your teeth, making them difficult to remove with brushing alone. While over-the-counter whitening treatments can remove light surface stains, they may not be enough to make a significant difference in the shade of your teeth.
There are many factors that can impact the color of your teeth, but the most common causes of tooth discoloration include:
Food and drinks
Certain foods and drinks can stain your teeth, including coffee and tea, soy sauce, dark berries, red wine, soda, and tomato-based sauces.
Tobacco use
Tobacco products, such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco, contain tar and nicotine that can darken your teeth.
Medications
Certain medications can stain your teeth, including antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, high blood pressure medication, and chemotherapy.
Genetics
Those with thicker enamel typically have whiter teeth than those who have naturally thin enamel.
Age
Your enamel naturally starts to thin with age, leaving your teeth more susceptible to stains and discoloration.
What is professional teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to effectively bleach your teeth. Both chemicals contain volatile oxygen molecules that break the bond holding the stain onto your enamel when placed on your teeth. This can significantly improve the color of your enamel for the most dramatic results.
Which teeth whitening option is right for me?
Peninsula Dental Excellence offers two types of professional teeth whitening: in-office whitening and at-home whitening trays.
In-office whitening
During in-office whitening, your provider protects your gums and lips before applying a powerful bleaching solution to your teeth. Next, they use a special UV light to remove years of built-up stains from your teeth.
At-home whitening
At-home whitening trays allow you to achieve professional results in as few as 2-3 weeks. Peninsula Dental Excellence creates custom trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. To whiten your teeth, you add a whitening solution to the tray and wear it on your teeth for anywhere from 2-10 hours.
Professional teeth whitening can dramatically brighten your smile in as little as one visit. To schedule an appointment with Peninsula Dental Excellence, call the office or book online today.
