Have you been longing for a bright, white smile? You are not alone. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, when asked about what they would like to change about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. Teeth whitening is one of the most sought-after treatments in cosmetic dentistry. It is one of the easiest ways to brighten dull, stained, and yellow teeth. You can now enjoy the white smile you’ve always wanted!

Why Are My Teeth Discolored?

Teeth can become discolored due to various causes, but there are three main types of tooth discoloration: Extrinsic, intrinsic, or age-related.

Extrinsic tooth discoloration occurs when the dental stains form on the outer layer of your teeth called the enamel. This type of staining usually happens due to staining agents found in coffee, tea, red wine, soft drinks, tobacco products, and more. Your best chances of removing these stains are by using a teeth whitening agent. If the discoloration is embedded too deeply, you may need to consider cosmetic treatments such as dental veneers or tooth bonding to help mask the stains from view.

Intrinsic tooth discoloration is staining emerging from within the tooth. It is caused by tooth injuries or infections, use of certain antibiotics at a young age, overexposure to fluoride, congenital tooth discoloration, and more. Tooth whitening treatments bleach only the surface of a tooth, so this type of discoloration does not respond well to the procedure. You will likely need to resort to porcelain veneers or dental bonding if your stains are intrinsic.

Age-related tooth discoloration is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Your dentin, the layer under the enamel, naturally yellows over time. Your tooth enamel begins to get thinner with age, allowing the dentin to show through. Additionally, years of wear and tear and exposure to staining agents will show in the color of your teeth. The best way to treat age-related tooth discoloration will involve a combination of teeth whitening and porcelain veneers or dental bonding, along with other advanced restorations if required. Each person will likely need a different treatment approach so we will customize your treatment based on your needs.

Teeth whitening will not work to lift stains off restorations such as veneers, dental bonding, or crowns, but will not damage them if used on surrounding teeth.

Home Teeth Whitening Systems

There are many home teeth whitening treatments available including our dentist prescribed systems, and over the counter products. For best and safest results, make sure to follow the directions carefully.

Whitening Trays

Our dentist prescribed take-home kits provide the best home whitening results. We can even custom fit a tray for you to improve your teeth whitening outcomes. Over-the-counter whitening trays come with a lower concentration of bleach and will require repeated treatments for the desired results. You will wear the device filled with a peroxide bleaching agent as instructed.

Whitening Toothpaste

Toothpaste will lift some stains due to containing mild abrasives. Whitening toothpaste, on the other hand, has gentle polishing or chemical agents, delivering additional stain removal. Whitening toothpaste does not contain bleach, and will only remove surface stains.

Whitestrips and Whitening Gels

These peroxide-based products are directly applied to the surface of your teeth, with results beginning to appear in a few days and lasting up to four months.

What Results Should You Expect?

You will not find a product that will whiten your teeth to the desired shade instantaneously. You may need days or even months to achieve the results you want. You need to be patient and realize that you are removing years of stains. Keep in mind that tooth whitening is not permanent, and you will likely need to touch up your teeth to keep them looking white and bright.

Is Tooth Whitening Safe?

Tooth whitening has been proven to be safe with some minor side effects reported. You may experience some mild irritation or sensitive teeth, but these side effects should resolve within a few days. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's directions if whitening your teeth at home, and avoid overusing the products to prevent potentially harming your tooth enamel and gums.

Are You Ready for Whiter, Brighter Teeth?

Our highly trained and experienced team offers cutting-edge procedures at our state of the art facility. We will work with you to learn about your desired outcomes and will tailor treatments to meet your needs. Your white, bright smile is only a phone call away!When you couple this amazing system with Fotona Lightwalker, you get a long lasting result up to a year and a half!

Schedule your appointment today with Rancho Dental Studio to learn more about tooth whitening and how it can enhance your smile. At Rancho Dental Studio we use the Rockstar White System which is the same that is used by Hollywood stars and can be seen on their website