Teeth whitening procedures, especially in-office teeth whitening procedures are considered to be the most reliable treatments for restoring your white natural smile. However, the notable downside with teeth whitening procedures is that they cannot work for tooth-colored dental fillings, teeth with bonding, or other teeth restorations. This procedure will also not work for intrinsic teeth stains. In this post, we will tell you why you should have your teeth whitening procedure at AppleTree Dental.
What are the Causes of Teeth Discoloration?
There are several factors that could affect the natural appearance of your teeth, causing them to appear discolored or stained. They include;
- Age. Our teeth tend to darken with age due to frequent wear and tear and accumulation of stains. Younger patients who seek teeth whitening procedures are more likely to get immediate, satisfactory whitening results, but older patients may require more advanced teeth whitening procedures to eliminate stubborn teeth stains.
- Teeth thinness and translucency. Thick and opaque teeth are highly responsive to teeth whitening agents and usually exhibit a brighter teeth color.
- Genetics. We are naturally born with an inborn teeth color ranging from green-grey to yellow-brown. It has been reported that yellow-brown colored teeth are more responsive to teeth whitening agents than green-grey teeth.
- Excessive smoking and chewing tobacco. Nicotine tends to dull the white color of your natural teeth by causing intrinsic discoloration.
- Certain chemicals and medications. Excessive use of chemicals with high fluorine content can lead to teeth discoloration and the formation of dull white marks on your teeth. There are also some drugs that can lead to the formation of stubborn brown or dark grey stains.
- Eating habits. Excessive consumption of deep-colored drinks and food such as coffee, oranges, red wine, tea, carrots, and cola can lead to discoloration of your teeth. Acidic foods can damage your enamel.
- Falls and Injuries. When your teeth are exposed to certain trauma, they tend to collect significant amounts of debris and stains that can lead to discoloration.
Are there any side effects from teeth whitening procedures?
The most reported side effect of using teeth whitening agents is increased sensitivity in your gums and teeth. Some people have reported that the long-term use of whitening agents with abrasives and hydrogen peroxide feels uncomfortable. The following are some of the other common side effects of teeth whitening procedures:
- Bleached gums. Some teeth-whitening agents cause your gums to become white and, eventually, lose their natural color.
- Gum irritation and burns. This is common with at-home teeth whitening agents but can be avoided by completely covering your gums before application.
- Tooth enamel damage. Some teeth-whitening solutions can lead to the thinning of your enamel.
- Gastrointestinal discomfort. If you happen to swallow certain teeth-whitening agents accidentally, you are more likely to experience mild stomach pains.
Tooth whitening is the process of using whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide to bleach your natural teeth. These teeth whitening agents are very effective in removing external teeth stains, making their dull brown color less visible, and brightening the natural white color of your teeth. However, the most reported side effect of using teeth whitening agents is increased sensitivity in your gums and teeth. Some people have reported that the long-term use of whitening agents with abrasives and hydrogen peroxide feels uncomfortable.
