3 Clear Signs Teeth Whitening Is a Wise Choice
If you’ve had a whiter smile in your sights for some time but you’re unsure of when the right time to commit is, our Washington, MI, cosmetic dentists can help. Look at it this way: at-home teeth whitening is easy to follow and you can go at your own pace to achieve your desired shade. So, what’re you waiting for?
Here are 3 indicators that may signal it’s time to try .
Am I Eligible for Professional Teeth Whitening?
While the is available to all interested adult patients, not everyone may be the best fit. For instance, if you are someone with highly sensitive teeth, our local cosmetic dentists may advise you to refrain from professional teeth whitening as it can cause some additional (temporary) sensitivity.
You should also stray from whitening if you have:
- Gum disease
- Oral cancer
- Worn tooth enamel
- Tooth decay (may receive whitening after treated)
If you’re free of any immediate oral health issues like those listed above, ask our dentists about getting started with teeth whitening. We’ll want to quickly examine your teeth to make sure everything looks healthy before moving on with the process itself.
Teeth Whitening Works Great For Smiles That:
1) Have Years of Food & Drink Stains
It’s no surprise that beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine cause stains. After all, they do contain tannins that when built up on tooth enamel, result in a stained appearance. Other delicious culprits include berries, tomato-based sauces, candy, and sodas.
Because these are foods and drinks that we all love to enjoy, many of us share the same though not always to the same degree. Luckily, our cosmetic dentists are here to erase pesky discoloration and give you a set of pearly whites with custom teeth whitening trays.
We’ll ask you questions about your health history and diet as well as conduct an oral exam to assess the severity of your tooth stains. It’s also important to let our dentists know if you have smoked in the past or currently smoke as that can contribute to how stained your teeth are.
2) Are Comprised of Healthy Tooth Enamel
Inside our Washington, MI, dental office, we strongly recommend that all patients brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste is also encouraged to reduce the risk of damaging your enamel.
Tooth enamel is what covers the outer portion of your teeth. It’s very tough which is great because it helps protect your teeth as they chew, bite, crunch, and grind. Despite its strength, however, enamel is not immune from chipping, cracking, or erosion.
If the worst thing wrong with your enamel is that it’s stained, you’re in luck. Healthy tooth enamel is what you want since after it’s gone, it won’t come back. This is something our dentists will pay close attention to and once your teeth are deemed in good shape, we’ll move forward with Opalescence whitening trays and whitening gel.
3) Have Discolored Because of Age
Unfortunately, as we get older our teeth have a tendency to darken in color due to enamel deterioration. This is typically not a cause for concern if your teeth are otherwise healthy, but it can lead to some feelings of embarrassment.
Our cosmetic dentists are no strangers to treating . We can work with you to determine the right shade that will eliminate those areas of discoloration and get you smiling with confidence again. If the spots are too severe for take-home whitening, we may even discuss the possibility of porcelain veneers.
Can You Whiten Severe Tooth Stains?
While professional whitening for yellow teeth and surface discoloration is highly effective, deep intrinsic stains are a different story. Because they are embedded within the tooth structure, these stains may not fully respond to even the best teeth whitening treatment. In some cases, the color may lighten slightly, but not enough to meet your expectations.
This is why a teeth whitening consultation with our dentists is so important. We’ll assess the type and depth of staining before recommending professional at-home teeth whitening or an alternative approach.
Schedule a Teeth Whitening Consultation
If you’re ready, just say the word and our cosmetic dentists in Washington, MI, can get you set up with the teeth whitening supplies you need. Call Romeo Family Dentistry today at (586) 752-3589 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.