Do You Want Whiter Teeth?

If you have been in search of ways to whiten and brighten your smile, you are not alone. Many adults struggle every day with tooth discoloration, making tooth whitening one of the most sought-after cosmetic trends today. This procedure will improve the appearance of stained teeth, leaving you with a white, bright, and dazzling smile.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

The most common causes of tooth staining and discoloration include the normal aging process, smoking tobacco products, and consumption of foods and drinks with staining agents such as berries, coffee, or wine. Certain medications, including those containing tetracycline, can also contribute to tooth discoloration.

What if I have Staining from Tetracycline?

While it is a little more challenging to produce lasting results, it is possible. When a patient presents with this type of staining, from tetracycline antibiotic use, we use other methods to accomplish whitening, beyond bleaching. Composite resin bonding, veneers, or crowns may be a better answer to fix the yellowing of the teeth.

Which Option is Best for Me?

Whitening is a great way to kick up your confidence, and it can be done at home, or professionally at a dentist office.

While both options can render great results, having them whitened at the dentist office will safely give you more dramatic results than you would with over the counter bleaching material.

Whitening should not be thought of as one-size-fits all service. Trays should be custom fitted to ensure the bleach being used is contained. The bleaching material should not extend too far onto the gums or soft tissue as this could cause irritation and inflammation.

This irritation and inflammation is transient but can cause discomfort and red, swollen, and unsightly gums.

Here are a couple of steps to help you in your whitening process.

1. Have your teeth professionally cleaned to help remove tarter build-up and stain.

2. Refrain from drinking and ingesting dark-colored beverages and foods such as:

   coffee, tea, colas, ALL tobacco products, mustard or ketchup, red wine, soy sauce, berry pie, red sauces and lipstick. These substances that could discolor teeth should be avoided during the first 48 hours after treatment.

   All treatments have some sort risk and benefit involved. Tooth whitening is no different. Risks include the following:

   *Gum/Lip/Cheek Inflammation-

   Whitening may cause inflammation of your gums, lips, or cheek margins. This is due to inadvertent exposure of a small area of those tissues to the whitening gel. The inflammation is usually temporary which will subside in a few days but may persist longer and may result in significant pain or discomfort, depending on the degree to which the soft tissues were exposed to the gel.

   *Dry/Chapped Lips-

   This could result in dryness or chapping of the lips or cheek margins, which can be treated by application of lip balm, petroleum jelly or Vitamin E cream.

   *Cavities or Leaking Fillings-

   Most dental whitening is indicated for the outside of the teeth, except for patients who have already undergone a root canal procedure. If any open cavities or fillings that are leaking and allowing gel to penetrate the tooth are present, significant pain and damage to the tooth could result. I understand that if my teeth have these conditions, I should have my cavities filled or my fillings re-done before undergoing the treatment.

   *Cervical Abrasion/Erosion-

   These are conditions which affect the roots of the teeth when the gums recede and they are characterized by grooves, notches and/or depressions that appear darker than the rest of the teeth, where the teeth meet the gums. These areas appear darker because they lack the enamel that covers the rest of the teeth. Even if these areas are not currently sensitive, they can allow the whitening gel to penetrate the teeth causing sensitivity, pain and possible damage to the nerve. I understand that if my teeth have these conditions, I should not undergo the treatment.

   *Relapse-

   After the treatment, it is natural for the teeth that underwent the whitening procedure to regress somewhat in their shading. This is natural and should be very gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents. Treatment usually involves wearing a take-home tray or repeating the treatment. I understand that the results of the treatment are not intended to be permanent and secondary, repeat or take-home treatments may be needed for me to maintain the tooth shade I desire for my teeth.

Want to know more about the process?

Call us to learn more about whitening, dental implants and more, from your local Nashville dentist at Smilodon!

Ask us about our whitening specials and schedule an appointment today!