We all know the importance of a beautiful smile, but that kind of smile doesn’t happen on its own. Our teeth need care and attention to retain their original appearance and health, and corrective or cosmetic treatment is sometimes necessary to resolve issues.
Over time, our teeth can become discolored and lose their luster and intense whiteness. This is often due to lifestyle choices, what we eat and drink, our oral health regime’s quality, and whether we smoke. Changing these habits can help improve our oral health, but some are hard or inconvenient to change. Whitening your teeth helps remove the superficial stains.
The Main Offenders
Food and drink can be one of the main culprits for discoloring your pearly whites. Dark sodas, coffee, tea, and red wine are all known for their yellowing effect on teeth, as is soy sauce, curry spices, and acidic foods.
Some of these items erode tooth enamel, leaving them more susceptible to stains. For example, acidic foods are renowned for enamel erosion, and once the tooth is weakened, it can develop further issues.
You could think that changing some of these lifestyle choices is the solution to tooth discoloration, yet this isn’t necessarily the case. Teeth naturally discolor with time and age, and once a tooth is discolored, it will need treatment to return to its former state.
The Solution
Thankfully, if you want beautiful white teeth, the solution is simple and easy. Whitening treatments can restore your teeth to their former glory or create the white smile you always wish you had.
While there are whitening toothpaste or other at-home whitening kits available, they will not give you the results you want. These tooth whitening methods offer limited results and only lighten the tooth’s color by about one shade. When you buy these products, you’re bound to end up dissatisfied with the outcome.
Serious side effects aren’t common but can still occur with over the counter tooth whitening products. Since these non-prescription products are weaker than professional options, you’re not likely to experience significant side effects, but it can still happen.
The most common side effects are mild gum irritation and an increase in tooth sensitivity. These side effects are uncomfortable but are usually not a danger to your health. However, if they don’t resolve within a few days, it’s worth talking with your dentist.
Professional Tooth Whitening
At-home measures don’t give the same results as professional cosmetic dentistry. When you visit your dentist, they help you determine the best treatment for your particular situation. Your dentist will talk to you about your options and what to expect. There are many benefits to professional tooth whitening, but ultimately, you’ll be guaranteed safe and reliable results when you choose in-office treatments instead of over the counter products.
The Scott J Owens Cosmetic and Family Dentistry Difference
Owens Cosmetic and Family Dentistry offer two professional whitening treatments: ZOOM! Whitening and trays for at-home whitening. Both of these treatments produce exceptional results and won’t take much time out of your day.
ZOOM! Whitening is perfect for addressing mild to moderate yellowing and stains. In just one hour-long session at our office, you can lighten your teeth by 6-8 shades. Using laser teeth whitening and specialist whitening gel will give you impressive results in a short amount of time. However, to get the most from this treatment, we recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned two weeks before your treatment.
Dr. Owens will take all the required precautions to ensure the soft tissues in your mouth are protected. None of this soft tissue, your gums or lips, will come in contact with the gel or UV light during the course of your treatment, reducing the possibility of gum irritation following the procedure.
Our other option for effective whitening is the at-home whitening trays. This bleaching system uses a professional-strength whitening gel and custom-fitted trays to give you incredible results rather than over the counter whitening products that use substandard, weaker whitening components.
This is an ideal maintenance treatment for those who don’t have time to come into the dental office or who want to touch up their treatment after the in-office whitening procedure. By periodically wearing your specially fitted whitening trays for up to 5-10 minutes once or twice a week, you’ll help keep your teeth in pristine condition. This means you can maintain the smile of your dreams in less than 30 minutes a month.
Experience The Best
If you want fast, effective tooth whitening, professional, dentist-approved whitening treatments are the solution. When you visit Scott J Owens Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, you’ll receive the best possible treatment. Call (248) 626-0772 to arrange an appointment, and you’ll be a step closer to achieving your perfect smile.
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