Cosmetic Dentistry Series: Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that helps remove stains and discoloration while lightening your teeth. To maximize the effect of this procedure, you’ll have repeat it from time to time to keep your teeth in sparkling white shape.

Why People Want to Whiten Their Teeth

The outer most layer on your teeth is known as the enamel. When light reflects off the enamel and combines with the dentin underneath it, it creates the natural color of your teeth. There are many things that affect how thick and smooth your enamel is, including genetics. The thinner the enamel, the more dentin shows through.  Although age naturally makes teeth less bright as the enamel thins and the dentin darkens, tobacco, coffee and poor dental hygiene all contribute to yellow teeth.

How Dentists Whiten Teeth

There are two types of tooth whitening procedures used in cosmetic dentistry. The first is called vital whitening and the second is called non-vital whitening. Dentists perform the former on teeth with live nerves and the latter on teeth without live nerves (or teeth that have had treatment for a root canal).

Tooth whitening usually takes about 30 to 90 minutes, and you’ll need one to three appointments to complete the treatment. Although you can buy tooth-whitening
products over the counter, they aren’t as strong as your dentist’s supply. 

Although you might experience sensitive teeth for some time, there aren’t any serious health risks associated with tooth whitening. If you feel like you could benefit from this cosmetic procedure, contact our office about turning your depressed frown upside down into a smile that lights up any room you walk into.