06 Aug Tooth Whitening: Enjoy a Brighter Smile
Stained teeth are one of the most common problems that cause people to become embarrassed about their smiles. Fortunately, this problem is also one of the easiest to treat.
Causes of Stained Teeth
Many things can cause teeth to become stained or discolored. Food and beverages are the most likely culprits. Smoking also causes extensive tooth staining. These staining agents cause what is called extrinsic staining, meaning that the stains are limited to the surface of the teeth.
Another type of staining, called intrinsic staining, is discoloration that is part of the tooth material itself. This kind of staining is usually caused by exposure to certain medications or to fluoride during the time when the teeth are developing. It usually cannot be treated with tooth whitening procedures.
Treatments for Stained Teeth
Tooth whitening is the simplest and most commonly used treatment for stained teeth. The most effective tooth whitening procedures are performed in the dentist’s office. A special, professional strength-whitening agent is applied to the teeth, where it remains for about twenty minutes. After it is removed, it is reapplied. Most treatments involve two or three applications, for a total of about an hour of your time for the full treatment. Some treatments, often referred to as laser whitening, require the agent to be activated with a special light.
In-office tooth whitening is a very effective treatment, and can lighten the surface of the teeth seven to ten shades after only one treatment. The whitening effect lasts quite some time, particularly if you are careful to avoid staining agents.
For more information on tooth whitening in San Antonio, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.