Discolored teeth occur when the enamel is stained by food, medication, and smoking. Light reflects off these stains and makes teeth look discolored. To fix discolored teeth, you can eat whitening foods, get custom veneers, use at-home whitening kits, and visit a dentist for a whitening appointment.
1. Include Teeth Whitening Foods in Your Diet
Food not only causes stains and tooth discoloration, but it also can whiten teeth. Dark-colored drinks, dark berries, and tomato sauce are some foods that can stain your teeth. However, other foods like watermelon and milk are suggested to whiten teeth.
Milk and dairy products contain Casein which reduces plaque build-up, which can stain teeth. Watermelon and crunchy fruits and vegetables increase saliva production and contain abrasive fibers that remove debris that cause plaque.
2. Porcelain Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin shells made to cover the front of your tooth. They are custom made for your teeth’s shape from ceramic which resembles your tooth’s natural color and luster.
The dentist begins the veneer application process by shaving off a small layer of tooth enamel. Then, your dentist takes impressions of your teeth which are sent to an off-site lab where your veneers are made. At a second appointment, your dentist adheres your custom veneers to your teeth.
Veneers last 10-15 years, depending on how well you take care of them. They are an ideal whitening solution for people whose teeth discoloration is intrinsic and cannot be removed with professional teeth whitening.
3. Personalized At-Home Whitening
For a personalized at-home whitening procedure, consult your dentist about professional whitening kits. Your dentist takes a mold of your teeth and creates custom mouth trays.
You then place a precise dose of bleaching gel into the tray’s cavities and wear the tray for a prescribed amount of time, often overnight. Professional whitening kits take approximately two weeks to achieve noticeably whiter results.
4. Professional In-Office Whitening
The quickest way to whiten stained teeth is at a teeth whitening dental appointment. Dentists use high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and light-activation to whiten teeth in as little as 45 minutes.
Hydrogen peroxide penetrates the tooth enamel and reacts with molecules that cause stains. It oxidizes at a high rate, breaking down and dispersing large stain-causing molecules, restoring your teeth to their natural white color.
During an in-office whitening treatment, your dentist covers your gums and lips with a protective barrier to prevent irritation of your gums and soft tissue. The bleaching gel is exposed to a LED light and left for 15 minutes. Then, you rinse off the gel, and the dentist checks your teeth against a shading chart. The process can be repeated up to three times to achieve the shade you desire.
Prioritize Dental Health for White Teeth
Whiter teeth can give you the confidence to share your smile with the world. Visit Valley Dental Care of Plainfield to schedule a teeth whitening appointment or a consultation to find out if you are a candidate for dental veneers.