Teeth Whitening

Why do teeth turn yellow?

Your teeth naturally turn yellow as part of the aging process. Over the years, your enamel cracks, chips, and flakes away. Ultimately, this reveals the inner layer of your teeth (dentin). Dentin is naturally yellow in color so it’s more noticeable as your enamel deteriorates. 

Other common causes of yellow or discolored teeth include:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Taking certain prescription medications
• Poor oral hygiene
• Eating foods like pasta sauce

You’re also more likely to develop yellow teeth if you drink coffee, red wine, or soda regularly. 

Is teeth whitening safe?

Modern teeth whitening treatments are safe and well-tolerated. In fact, the majority of in-office and over-the-counter whitening products feature carbamide peroxide as their main bleaching ingredient. Carbamide peroxide is a harmless byproduct of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, all whitening treatments undergo review and testing by regulatory bodies such as the FDA. 

What types of teeth whitening do you offer?

To assist their patients, the team at Daniella Perez Simon, DMD offers two convenient types of teeth whitening:

In-office whitening

In-office whitening treatment provides the most stunning results and can make your teeth up to eight shades lighter. During in-office whitening treatment, your dentist places a dam over your gums and tongue to prevent contact with the bleaching chemicals. Next, they carefully apply the whitening solution to the surface of your teeth. After letting the solution sit, your dentist points a special light at your teeth, which activates the bleaching solution. The entire process typically takes between 60-90 minutes. Just keep in mind that your individual results may vary.

Take-home whitening trays

Take-home whitening involves the use of mouthguard like trays filled with a prescription bleaching solution. You wear your trays between one and four hours a day for a series of weeks. Over time, your stains and discoloration fade away. 

Is teeth whitening permanent?

Teeth whitening treatment isn’t permanent. However, it can provide results for between four and six months at a time. You can also extend the effects of teeth whitening by practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding stain-causing foods and beverages. For example, instead of drinking soda or coffee, drink water instead. 

Don’t let yellow or discolored teeth prevent you from living your best life. The team at Daniella Perez Simon, DMD can help your smile look better than when you arrived. Request a teeth whitening consultation by calling the office or clicking the online scheduling tool today.