3 Things To Know About Teeth Whitening Before You Visit A Dentist

Having whiter teeth is something many people long for, and there are several good methods you can use to achieve this. Before you dive into getting your teeth whitened, though, it's important to understand that you have a lot of control over the color of your teeth. Additionally, you should understand that there are causes of tooth discoloration that are out of your control. Finally, you should make sure you investigate all the available options for whitening your teeth before you choose which method you will use.

You Have A Lot of Control Over the Color of Your Teeth

While it is normal for your teeth to begin discoloring as you age, you might not realize that you have a lot of control over the color and shade of your teeth. The habits you have or do not have can greatly affect the color of your teeth, and there are some habits you may need to get rid of and some you need to develop.

The best habits to have are those that involve good daily oral hygiene, and this includes brushing and flossing. If you want to keep your teeth whiter, you may want to use a whitening toothpaste each day. Whitening toothpastes are designed to keep teeth whiter and may help fight stains more effectively.

Some of the habits you may want to get rid of include drinking coffee and red wine each day. Coffee, tea, red wine, and other colored beverages will stain your teeth, no matter how careful you are when you are consuming them. If you can cut these out of your life and stick with drinking water and milk, you may be able to keep your teeth whiter. Smoking is another habit that will discolor your teeth, and this too is a habit you may want to kick if having whiter teeth is a top priority in your life.

These are the types of things you can control that will help you keep your teeth whiter, but there are also things that can discolor your teeth that are out of your hands.

Some Causes of Tooth Discoloration Are Out of Your Hands

A couple of the top things that cause discoloration of the teeth include aging, trauma, and medications, and these are three things that are very hard to control. As a person ages, it is very normal for the enamel on his or her teeth to wear away, and this is a top cause of discoloration. Enamel makes teeth look whiter, so when it wears away, it will leave teeth looking duller and more yellowish in color.

Trauma to a tooth often leads to a tooth turning brown, and this is often due to a disconnection of the roots to the tooth. When the roots cannot supply the tooth with enough oxygen, they will naturally turn brown, and trauma can occur from playing sports, car accidents, and many other things. Medications, such as tetracycline, are known for causing discoloration of the teeth.

There Are Several Good Methods to Choose From

There are numerous ways to achieve whiter teeth, but one of the most effective ways is professional bleaching services, and this is a treatment option most dentists offer. If you do not want to get your teeth professionally whitened, you could try at-home kits for whitening your teeth; however, these typically do not work as well as professional services.

If you are ready to visit a dentist to learn more about whitening your teeth, contact a cosmetic dentistry clinic today. You can schedule an appointment to meet with a dentist, such as Kyle J Frisinger DMD, to learn more about the causes of your tooth discoloration and the treatment methods available.