Has your smile began to look more dull and tarnished rather than bright and clean? Unfortunately, this can happen when the tooth enamel becomes stained or discolored as a result of things like age, diet, and habits. In fact, your dentist can learn a lot about you by simply looking at the stains on your teeth.
However, most people would rather not have their age, diet, and habits displayed on their teeth. Lucky for them, teeth whitening procedures exist. Teeth whitening procedures do just as their name suggests. That is, they whiten teeth by removing years of old stains. If you are tired of looking in the mirror and seeing your lackluster smile, here are five reasons why you should try teeth whitening:
Beautiful Smile
One of the simplest reasons to try teeth whitening is because it can improve the look of your smile. Having a beautiful smile can improve your self-esteem and cause you to smile more, which has been shown to improve your mood. Additionally, lightening the color of your teeth can also make you appear younger.
Removes Two Types of Stains
Professional teeth whitening services performed in your local dentist’s office are able to remove both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are those that affect the outer tooth enamel. They are usually caused by certain foods and beverages, as well as inadequate oral care. Intrinsic stains are those that affect the underlying dentin layer. They are usually caused by things like certain medications or age.
Safe
Even though teeth whitening removes two types of stains from your teeth, it does not harm your teeth. This is because the ingredients used for teeth whitening have been proven to be completely safe. In fact the main ingredient used in many whiteners, hydrogen peroxide, actually breaks down into water and is absorbed by the body.
Whitening Procedures are Easy
To prepare your teeth for whitening, your dentist will perform a teeth cleaning to remove excess plaque and tartar. After your teeth have been cleaned, the whitening agent will be applied by being brushed on or through placing a tray over your teeth. It will then remain in place for about 30-60 minutes. In some cases, a special light may also be used to activate the whitener during this time. Once the treatment is over, your teeth will be rinsed and voila!
Whitening Procedures are Affordable
In addition to being super easy cosmetic dental treatments, teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments due to its affordability. Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures which can be quite costly, teeth whitening averages a cost of $400-$650. In most cases, the lower end of the spectrum is for those who take home whitening kit and the higher costs are for those who elect to have their dentist apply the whitening agent for them.
Overall, professional teeth whitening can provide you with a beautiful, affordable smile by safely and easily removing stains from the enamel and dentin layers. Nowadays, you don’t need to be stuck with a lackluster smile. With a single visit to your local dental office, teeth whitening treatment can brighten and whiten your smile.
Dr. Dokhanchi earned the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) with clinical honors in 1992. Dr. Dokhanchi attends numerous continuing education courses every year in order to stay current with the latest techniques and technology in the world of dentistry. He considers Ethics, Quality, Safety, and Comfort the pillars of his dental practice and believes that communicating with patients is essential to quality dental care.
