Teeth Whitening in Grand Prairie texas

How does Teeth Whitening Work?

Tooth whitening is defined as any process that will make teeth appear whiter. There are two ways this is commonly done: bleaching and non-bleaching Teeth whitening in Grand Prairie texas products. Often the terms “bleaching” and “whitening” are used interchangeably, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states the term “bleaching” can only be used when a product contains bleach. A product is considered simply “whitening” when it removes food or debris from the teeth without bleach.

Bleaching products contain peroxide (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) and these products remove both surface and deep stains on teeth and can cause teeth to become even lighter than their natural shade.

So You Want Whiter Teeth?

Who doesn’t love a dazzling, white smile? Teeth whitening in Grand Prairie Texas is one of the most requested dental procedures done every year, with Americans spending nearly $2 billion annually to keep their smiles looking bright.

Over time, drinking coffee, red wine, smoking cigarettes, and simply aging can stain our teeth, as can certain medications such as tetracycline.

What Causes Teeth Stains

Extrinsic (external) Stains

Extrinsic stains occur when the outer layer of the tooth, also known as the enamel, is stained. This may happen because of several factors:

  • Diet
  • Frequently consuming colored foods like coffee, tea, cola, or red wine stains your teeth over time.
  • Smoking
  • Nicotine and tar in tobacco stain the necks of your teeth above the gum line, giving them a yellowish-brown color.
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Accumulated dental plaque and calculus formed on the teeth due to poor dental hygiene can cause discoloration of teeth, which varies between grey, yellow, black, or brown.
  • Environmental factors
  • Fluoride is known to cause teeth discoloration. Excessive usage of fluoride products such as mouthwash, toothpaste, or drinking water with high fluoride content can cause your teeth to be discolored.

Intrinsic (internal) Stains

Intrinsic staining takes place at the deeper layer of the enamel and the dentin, which is the tissue lying below the enamel. These stains give your teeth a yellowish or greyish hue. Similar to extrinsic stains, there are many factors for this:

  • Antibiotics
  • Giving certain antibiotics to children whose teeth are still developing can stain their teeth, which will carry into their adult life.
  • Dental trauma
  • Teeth can be discolored from the inside out due to bleeding within the tooth itself, which decomposes and forms a blueish-brown stain.
  • Genetic factors
  • A small number of people who suffer from congenital issues may also have discolored teeth.

Age-related Factors

The outer layer of the enamel on our teeth gets eroded when we turn older, exposing the dentin. As the dentin also turns yellow with age, this will cause our teeth to appear stained.

What’s in Bleaching Products?

The active ingredient in tooth whiteners available from dentists in Grand Prairie texas or drugstores is peroxide (hydrogen or carbamide). Hydrogen peroxide is the actual bleaching agent, while carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide.

The bleaching products you can get from a dentist in Grand Prairie Texas are much stronger than those purchased over-the-counter. Whiteners used by dentists may have as much as 35% to 45% peroxide while the store-bought Teeth whitening in Grand Prairie texas kits such as Teeth whitening in Grand Prairie texas strips or trays usually have just 7% peroxide. Other ingredients in both dentist-dispensed and OTC whiteners include glycerin, carbopol, sodium hydroxide, and flavorings.

Let the Dentist in Grand Prairie texas do the Teeth Whitening

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends if you choose to bleach your teeth you consult a dentist first. A dentist can come up with the best whitening options for you and supervise a treatment plan to avoid complications.

Professional whitening can be done in a dentist’s office in about an hour. The procedure involves the application of a tooth whitening gel containing between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide, and then aiming a special heating lamp at your teeth for three 20-minute intervals, with reapplication of the gel between intervals. Some dentists may also use a laser, which is reported to accelerate or activate the whitening process. A protective barrier is used during the whitening procedure to keep your lips, gums, and tongue away from the whitening gel so it stays in place on your teeth. For optimal results, the dentist will usually give you whitening trays molded for your teeth so you can follow-up at home with bleaching solutions.

Resources:

onhealth.com

rafflesmedicalgroup.com

We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.