Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet you. A good-looking smile creates a good first impression and makes you more approachable. When the teeth are stained or discolored, the smile appears to be unhealthy, less attractive and you may tend to look older than you actually are. Teeth staining is one of the common esthetic complaints people have about their teeth. Many patients who visit our office in Beaumont, California for smile makeover seek to brighten their teeth through our Teeth Whitening.
Our cosmetic treatment combined with post-treatment care can bring about a healthy smile for you. If you are preparing for an upcoming event or determined to brighten your smile, make an appointment and meet our dentist to know about our Teeth Whitening treatment. Dr. Nomi Lee and team tries to achieve the best for you.
Why do teeth turn yellow?
The color of natural teeth varies from one person to the other. In dentistry, the color of natural teeth is broadly classified into four categories which are reddish grey, grey, reddish yellow and reddish brown. The teeth can further be classified into multiple shades based on the level of brightness. The color of teeth depends on genetics, food habits, oral health factors and the thickness of the enamel layer.
- When the outer most layer of the tooth – the enamel wears out, the color of dentin which is yellow reflects from the tooth
- Dark colored fluids such as coffee, wine, and cola are known to cause tooth staining
- Smoking can cause the teeth to discolor
- Injury and infection of teeth is known to cause discoloration
- Intake of medicines that contain tetracycline and intake of too much fluoride can cause internal staining in some patients
The choice of a particular process to brighten teeth depends on the cause of tooth discoloration. Our dentist performs a thorough check to let you know if tooth whitening can brighten your smile.
How can teeth whitening help you?
Teeth Whitening is a quick and effective procedure which removes dark colored pigments from the porous enamel layer of your teeth. The brightness of your teeth can improve by about two shades through this procedure. This can make your smile look healthier and more attractive. People who have bright white teeth are known to look younger than their actual age. A bright smile boosts your self-confidence and can help in career and love life.
How is teeth whitening done?
When you visit our office to get your teeth whitened, we first examine your teeth and gums to see if they are healthy. Tooth decay, if found during the course, should be treated before going ahead with tooth whitening. On confirmation that the teeth are healthy, our cosmetic dentist takes pictures of your teeth and measures the brightness using shade scale. We explain to you how tooth whitening can brighten your smile before starting the procedure.
Teeth whitening treatments is a procedure which can be completed in a single visit. A protective gel is applied over the gums. Tooth Whitening agents that contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide are used during the course. The whitening agent is applied over the teeth and a bright light is shined over them. The whitening agent enters the porous enamel layer and undergoes oxidation to remove the stain.
The process is accelerated using the bright light. Each sitting may take about 20 minutes to complete and our dentist may recommend two sittings during a visit. On completion of the treatment, we take pictures of your teeth and measure the improvement in brightness using shade scale. Our dentist and team finally guide you on how to take care of oral hygiene to ensure the brightness lasts longer.