What if I told you that teeth whitening could change your life? That may seem like a dramatic claim. After all, teeth whitening is just cosmetic, right?
Keep reading to discover the many benefits of teeth whitening and how you can improve your life by whitening your teeth.
Teeth whitening has continued to become more and more popular in recent decades. A recent survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry showed that 80% of people between the ages of 18 and 40 wish they had whiter teeth. Are you one of those people?
There are a few common reasons why most people want to whiten their teeth and a variety of ways to go about the process. For the best results, be sure to ask your dentist about the best fit for you and your teeth.
So what causes your teeth to become less white?
The foods we eat and drink can cause stains and the discoloration of your teeth. Drinks like coffee, tea, soda, and wine are usually the culprits, so it is important to brush your teeth after consuming these beverages in order to prevent staining.
Some vibrant fruits like berries, cherries, or pomegranates (as well as foods made with these fruits) can also cause stains on your teeth.
Medications can also have side effects that include teeth discoloration. Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antipsychotics particularly tend to have this specific side effect, but there are others that can also cause teeth discoloration.
Even some antibiotics that are not commonly prescribed can cause this side effect. Some medical treatments can also impact the whiteness of your teeth. Radiation or chemotherapy treatments can weaken the enamel and dentin of your teeth.
Fluoride is important to dental health, but excessive fluoride in your environment – like your drinking water or using too much fluoride too often – can cause discoloration or stains on your teeth.
Genetics and aging also play a role in the whiteness of your teeth. The older you get, the more the enamel of your teeth wears away and reveals the dentin underneath that has a more grey appearance.
Even though there are a lot of causes of teeth discoloration, there are many different approaches to teeth whitening. You are sure to find one that will work for you and your teeth.
Teeth Whitening Techniques
Obviously, teeth whitening will give you a brighter smile, but there are myriad other benefits that can come from whitening your teeth. Here are some options you can choose from:
- Laser Whitening
- This is a procedure done at your dentist’s office using a peroxide-based solution and lasers. The procedure doesn’t take very long (about 30 minutes) and will last quite a long time in comparison to other whitening techniques. However, this is a more expensive route.
- Whitening Trays
- This is the most common approach to teeth whitening and uses a peroxide-based whitening gel and custom trays from your dentist to use at home. You can get over-the-counter trays that will also work, just maybe not as well.
Using whitening trays is easy and convenient, and with regular use, can eliminate stains on your teeth and keep your smile bright and beautiful.
- Toothpaste, Rinses, and Whitening Strips
- There are many whitening products to choose from, like toothpaste or rinses. These products are very helpful in preventing new stains and discolorations on your teeth, but may not be as effective at removing m stains or discolorations that are deep in your teeth.
No matter which technique you go for, whitening your teeth can seriously improve your life in a host of unexpected ways.
Self-Esteem
Along with a brighter smile will come the confidence to smile and interact more with those around you without having to worry about the color of your teeth. When you feel better about the way you look, you often have a more positive outlook.
If you are self-conscious about your teeth, you might avoid smiling or talking. Whiter teeth can eliminate those concerns and provide you with increased self-esteem and confidence to communicate better with those around you.
Cleaner Mouth
Daily oral care is important to your health and well-being. Even the best whitening treatments are useless without brushing and flossing every day. In addition to brightening your smile, teeth whitening treatments also kill bacteria that can cause gum disease and tooth decay, making your mouth cleaner and healthier.
Hide Imperfections
Our smile is one of the first things that people notice about us, so it is easy to focus on specific parts of our teeth that are less than perfect.
Having whiter teeth can help hide minor imperfections in your teeth and smile. If you have a small chip or crack in your tooth or a small gap between them, those imperfections are less likely to be noticed by others.
Look More Youthful
Along with hiding imperfections, a whiter smile can actually make you appear more youthful. As explained above, when we get older, the enamel in our teeth darkens to a darker color. Teeth whitening can compensate for this and give your smile a younger appearance.
Smile More
Did you know that smiling can help alleviate stress and reduce your heart rate? It’s true—smiling is good for you.
All of these benefits of teeth whitening work together to help you smile more and smile brighter. Your happiness is important and what better way to show it than to give yourself the whiter, brighter smile you have always wanted.
Whiten Your Teeth With Oak Hills Dentistry
Oak Hills Dentistry provides stunning dentistry with a friendly and gentle touch. If you are looking to whiten your teeth, our professional team can help point you in the right direction and get you started on the right foot.
The whitening systems used at Oak Hills Dentistry are Opalescence and KöR MAX, and we also provide an at-home maintenance regimen for you to follow to keep your stunning smile as white as can be.
For more information on how to get your bright, white smile, contact us today!