A brighter smile is just a dental appointment away. 

As the New Year draws near, many people start thinking about what kind of resolutions they’ll be making to better themselves in the year to come. Maybe it’s to eat better, exercise more, or finally finish that project they’ve been dreaming about—something that requires hard work and sacrifice. 

But while those are undoubtedly great goals to pursue, why is it that a new year never begins with a gift instead of a goal? Perhaps you already worked hard and sacrificed a great deal last year, and it’s time to reward yourself with something that can brighten up the year to come. 

Tooth whitening is a safe and simple procedure that can provide you with a boost in self-confidence and a brand-new reason to smile in the new year.

What is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to remove staining and fight discoloration in order to give you a healthier, brighter smile. 

The procedure involves the use of a whitening agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, which is applied to stained or yellow teeth to safely bleach them. Some dentists use laser teeth whitening to speed up the process for longer-lasting results.

What causes tooth staining?

Feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your smile? There are various reasons why your teeth may be stained, but fortunately, many of these stains can be removed.  

1. Dark Drinks

Dark-colored beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, and red wine, are among the most common culprits of tooth staining. They contain pigments that cling to your teeth and can be difficult to remove without a tooth whitening procedure.

2. Acidic Foods

Berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, curry, balsamic vinegar, and other foods with high acidity or dark pigmentation can have a similar effect to drinks like coffee and red wine on your teeth.

3. Certain Medications

There are a few different medications that can cause tooth discoloration. Among the most common are certain blood pressure medications, antipsychotics, and antihistamines. 

4. Aging

Aging is one of the most common reasons for teeth to become discolored. This happens due to a natural process affecting the various layers of the teeth.

Why do teeth yellow with age?

To understand why aging causes teeth to become discolored, it’s important to first understand a bit about the structure of teeth in general. There are two layers to the teeth: enamel and dentin. 

Enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth that protects the softer inner layer, the dentin. Composed of the mineral calcium phosphate, enamel gets its translucent appearance from the arrangement of this mineral in a crystal structure known as hydroxyapatite.

When your tooth enamel wears down, it can lead to yellow teeth. This is because the dentin beneath the enamel has a yellow hue to it, and as the enamel begins fading, the dentin becomes more visible. 

As a person grows older, enamel naturally begins to wear away while more dentin is created, causing teeth to have a yellow appearance.

Can you whiten aging teeth?

No matter your age, staining due to extrinsic factors like food and drinks can be removed. Tooth whitening is still effective on these common culprits of tooth staining, despite issues with enamel loss. This means that you can absolutely still whiten teeth even with tooth discoloration caused by enamel loss. 

You may be surprised at what a difference removing these stains that have built up over time can make in giving you a brighter smile and inspiring a new sense of self-confidence in you.

Safe vs. Unsafe Whitening Methods

When performed by a dentist, tooth whitening is a safe process to achieve a whiter smile. Your best bet for a safe and effective whitening procedure is to visit your dentist. They can either provide the treatment for you in the office or prescribe a home kit and give you the guidance you need to use it properly. 

Other tooth whitening methods include over-the-counter kits and DIY methods. While over-the-counter kits can offer some results, they are not as effective as the in-office procedure.

DIY methods are usually best avoided. Many of the common DIY methods use substances like lemon and soda or sea salt and apple cider vinegar, which can be too abrasive for your teeth and can do more harm than good. Always speak with your dentist before trying any kind of whitening procedure.

Teeth Whitening from Laurel Manor Dental

If you’re interested in brightening your smile this New Year, the professional team at your Laurel Manor Dental office takes pride in creating healthy, happy smiles in Florida. Our team provides patient-centered, compassionate care that is personalized to meet your individual needs. We are veteran-owned and offer a wide range of services to help you achieve your best smile. Visit us online to request an appointment today.