Portland, OR
 You can keep your teeth white and bright by brushing and flossing every day. By missing out on these pointers, you are making room for your teeth to yellow over time. To get back the brilliant white color of your teeth right away, you can book an appointment for cosmetic tooth whitening with our dentists at Elliott Dentistry.
Reasons for Change in Teeth Color
There are several reasons why your teeth may become white. The most common one is having too much coffee or tea. These drinks leave stains behind. They both have chromogens, a pigment that attaches to your teeth white outer part, also known as the enamel.
Another reason could be tobacco use, as it also leaves a stain behind. In particular, tar in tobacco leaves a black stain. Although nicotine is colorless, when it combines with oxygen, it too leaves a dark stain.
Age could be another factor. The layer below the enamel is soft. It is called dentin. With time, the enamel wears off, and a yellow layer of dentin starts to show up. Sometimes, trauma, too, can cause a color change. This trauma is directly related to an injury in or around your mouth.
Some medications can darken your teeth. This is a side effect noticed when consuming antibiotics like tetracycline or due to chemotherapy.
Teeth Whitening Process
Teeth whitening is not a complex process. It is done with products that can contain hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, or both. These chemicals are bleaching agents that break the stains into tiny particles. The result is that it provides fewer stains than before and brighter teeth.
However, our dentist will inform you if this procedure is the right one for you, as teeth whitening does not work for all types of discoloration. Bleaching works well on yellow stains but might not produce the same result on brown teeth. Whitening also doesn’t work on caps, veneers, or fillings. Lastly, whitening does not work on teeth that have discoloration due to a tooth injury or medications.
Types of Whitening
Our dentist will guide you through several whitening procedures, depending on how strong the stain is. There are a total of four ways to get it.
The first method is by stain removal toothpaste. Nearly all types of toothpaste remove the surface stains. They have mild abrasives that scrub through the teeth. They also have additional polishing agents. These are safe and effective. However, these may not change the color of your teeth in the presence of persistent stains.
The second method is by getting in-office bleaching. It is also called chair-side bleaching, which requires a single visit to our office. Our dentist will apply a protective gel or a rubber shield to protect your gums, after which bleach is applied.
The third method is getting At-Home Bleaching from our dentist. Our dentists will provide custom made trays for you to perform the treatment at home. Also, they will guide you on how to use the bleaching solution.
Lastly, our dentist can recommend over-the-counter bleaching products as well. These can be easily bought at a local grocery store or pharmacy.
Our dentists at Elliott Dentistry are well-versed with whitening procedures. Contact us at (503) 661-6111 to book an appointment for a teeth whitening. |
