Tooth discoloration may be caused by a variety of factors. Poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, certain foods and beverages, and medications are the most common culprits. Patients who do not brush and floss consistently twice a day are more prone to bacteria buildup and staining. Tobacco products also easily turn the tooth enamel yellow over time. Foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, tomatoes, and berries contain chromogens, pigments that attach to and stain teeth.
Antihistamines, antipsychotics, and other types of medications may have tooth discoloration as a common side effect.
Dr. Stefan Speck is here to help patients brighten and whiten their smiles with his cosmetic whitening treatments. He offers in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatment at Oxford Family Dentistry in Oxford, PA. If you have tougher stains, he can provide additional cosmetic dental treatments to help.
In-Office and Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Dr. Speck can coordinate teeth whitening treatment for you in his Oxford dental office. He can also provide his patients with customized take-home whitening kits.
Patients who want immediate results can benefit from in-office teeth whitening. To begin this whitening treatment, Dr. Speck applies a barrier on the gums to minimize gum sensitivity. This barrier also ensures that the whitening solution is concentrated on the teeth. Then, Dr. Speck applies whitening gel to the teeth, where it is left for several minutes before it is removed. Dr. Speck repeats this process until the enamel matches the patient’s desired shade.
In-office teeth whitening treatment can also be beneficial for patients who are attending special events and want to look their best.
Patients can also whiten their smiles at home with take-home whitening kits. However, patients will need to visit Dr. Speck’s office for dental impressions. These impressions are used to create custom-made teeth whitening trays. At home, patients apply the whitening gel to the trays and wear them for a set amount of time. Take-home teeth whitening is a great option for patients with tooth sensitivity.
Other Cosmetic Whitening Options
If patients have intrinsic or deep tooth stains they may benefit from dental veneers or tooth bonding. Intrinsic tooth stains are often caused by tooth wear, which shows the dark underlayer beneath the tooth enamel. This underlayer, called dentin, can make the teeth appear darker or discolored. Dental veneers are porcelain ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of teeth. Tooth bonding treatment uses a malleable biocompatible material that is sculpted onto the tooth enamel.
Both veneers and dental bonding can be color-matched to match the patient’s desired shade. These long-lasting cosmetic restorations may also be used to address dental injuries or large gaps between teeth.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What are the rules after teeth whitening?
To protect your investment, you should follow a few simple rules after you whiten your teeth. Avoid beverages that can easily stain your teeth. This seems to be the most difficult because this includes coffee, tea, red wine, dark juices, and soda. While we know it is hard to avoid some these, they can darken your teeth very fast. We suggest limiting your consumption and trying drinking through a straw. Also, you should limit or avoid foods that can stain your teeth including dark berries, artificially colored candy, chocolate, and dark sauces.
Will smoking affect my teeth whitening treatment?
Smoking is not only bad for your health and oral health, but it can also affect the appearance of your teeth. After teeth whitening treatment, you highly suggest that you avoid it all costs. Smoking will simply re-stain your teeth almost instantly.
Does professional teeth whitening cause permanent tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity after professional whitening it totally normal. However, it is not permanent. If you are experiencing any tooth sensitivity after your treatment, it should subside within a few days.
Is it safe to have my teeth professionally whitened?
Professional teeth whitening is completely safe. It has been safely used for many years by dentists. They are highly trained to administer the treatment in a safe and controlled manner.
Will a store bought whitening treatment work just as well?
It might be tempting to buy an over the counter teeth whitening treatment because they are inexpensive. However, they are not as effective. Additionally, if you do not apply the treatment right or use it correctly, you may get uneven results. For some of these products you may never see results or it will take months.
Does professional teeth whitening harm my tooth enamel?
Professional tooth whitening will not cause permanent harm to your tooth enamel or any surrounding tissue.
Brighten Your Smile Today
Do you want to enhance the look of your smile? Ask us about our cosmetic teeth whitening treatments. Contact Oxford Family Dentistry by calling 610.753.4506 today. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Speck on our website. Please let Dr. Speck or a member of his dental team know if you have any questions about your whitening treatment options.