If you have stained or discolored teeth due to tobacco use, coffee consumption, or oral trauma, consider teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry technique that can transform your smile during a single appointment. At Family Smile Dental in New York City, the cosmetic dentists offer both in-office teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening trays. To make an appointment at either practice location, call the office in the Sheepshead Bay or Midwood neighborhoods of Brooklyn, or schedule online today.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a type of cosmetic dentistry that removes stains from the surface of your teeth. There are many whitening systems available, but almost all of them use hydrogen peroxide as their primary ingredient. When applied to your teeth, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the molecules inside your enamel, minimizing the appearance of discoloration.
Teeth whitening treatment is safe, presents few side effects, and often lasts for months with good oral hygiene and routine dental maintenance.
What causes teeth to change color?
The leading cause of tooth discoloration is the natural aging process. Years of biting, chewing, brushing, and flossing cause your enamel to wear down, revealing more of the yellow dentin beneath.
Other factors that increase the risk of tooth stains include:
You might also experience yellow, brown, or discolored teeth if you drink beverages that contain tannins, like coffee, tea, or cola.
What are the types of teeth whitening?
Family Smile Dental offers several types of teeth whitening, including:
In-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening can make your teeth up to eight* shades lighter in a single appointment.
During this type of treatment, your provider applies a hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth. After the gel rests for several minutes, your provider points a blue light at your teeth, triggering a whitening reaction. Your Family Smile Dental provider repeats these steps several times until you achieve your desired results.
ake-home whitening trays
Take-home trays allow you to whiten your teeth at your own convenience. A take-home whitening kit includes two custom mouthpieces and a bottle of whitening solution. You line the trays with the whitening solution and wear them several hours a day, whenever it works with your schedule.
Are the results of teeth whitening permanent?
No. The results of teeth whitening typically last between four and six months, but it's possible to extend them with good oral hygiene. Family Smile Dental recommends brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting the nearest office for an oral exam and teeth cleaning twice a year.
To minimize the buildup of stains, quit using tobacco (if you do) and try drinking dark beverages like tea or coffee with a straw.
To see if you can benefit from teeth whitening treatment, make an appointment at Family Smile Dental by calling the nearest office or scheduling online today.
*Individual results may vary.
