Why It Hasn't Worked Before
Many people have tried whitening strips or other over the counter teeth whitening products. These work for some people, but not everyone. The products you can buy in the store have less of the type of peroxide we use in our office. This form of peroxide penetrates your teeth giving you the best white in the most efficient time. When there is less of it, it still works, but it normally takes much longer.
Another reason whitening may not be working is because some people try to whiten their teeth to cover up results of bad oral hygiene. They may not realize they are doing this, but when teeth are covered in plaque due to a lack of cleaning or visits to the dentist, the over the counter whitening products cannot reach the full surface of the teeth. The whitening formula cannot seep in like it should.
If you have experienced sensitivity due to teeth whitening in the past, you may be hesitant to go through the discomfort again to attain white teeth. Teeth whitening does not have to be an uncomfortable experience. At our office, we can offer you specialized desensitizing products to use in conjunction with teeth whitening for the most pleasant experience. It will also strengthen your enamel in general.
Types of Discoloration
There is more than one type of teeth discoloration. There are three: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. These types of discoloration can determine the effectiveness of whichever teeth whitening product you are using. Extrinsic discoloration is the staining that occurs on your enamel due to deep-colored foods and drinks, tobacco use, and poor oral hygiene. This type of discoloration can be treated, but it can also return easily if you do not use proper brushing techniques to remove staining as soon as it occurs. It will also help if you avoid certain substances that you know stained your teeth.
Intrinsic discoloration is the staining of an inner layer of your teeth called the dentin. Dentin is the dense, bony tissue that makes up the majority of your tooth. This can be stained if you were exposed to certain antibiotics as a child or if your mother took these antibiotics when she was pregnant with you. It can also be stained by the overuse of fluoride while you were growing up. This type of discoloration may take a more intense whitening product to create a substantial difference. It may also require the use of special materials that our dentist can provide.
Age-related discoloration is a combination of many factors, including aging in general. As you age, your teeth may naturally appear more stained and discolored.
Treatment
Whatever the reason for your teeth staining is, we can help in the most advanced ways. Traditional teeth whitening may not always be the right path for your teeth. If you have had a root canal, have damage to your teeth, or are in the intrinsic discoloration category, you may need another method of whitening. In these cases, we can perform the necessary service to provide whiter teeth. Visit our office for more information and to learn what we can do for you.
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