Interesting Facts About Teeth Whitening
The appearance of your smile has a significant impact on your self-esteem and confidence levels. There is also society’s perception of people with good looking teeth that has pushed many of us to explore cosmetic dentistry and try to change our smiles. One of the simplest ways you can improve your smile is through a whitening procedure. But before you run to your nearest dentist to have it done, what should you know about teeth whitening treatments?
- Not Everyone’s Teeth Are Naturally White
The general stereotype, especially as portrayed in the media, is that our teeth have to be brilliant white. However, this is misleading as many factors play a role in an individual’s tooth color. First, the natural color of your teeth is determined by genetics. After that, it is influenced by inevitable factors such as food and aging, which cause some discoloration over time. So, even those lucky enough to have flawlessly white teeth are still prone to tooth discoloration. However, even with the facts withstanding, most people still view white teeth as healthy and appealing. This has greatly contributed to making teeth whitening in St. Cloud to be among the most requested cosmetic dental procedures.
- Treatment Does Not Guarantee Perfectly White Teeth
After a tooth whitening procedure, do not expect your teeth to be whiter than they initially were. A consultation with a dentist near me will inform you that the procedure can only make your teeth a couple of shades lighter. Some types of stains cannot be removed with teeth whitening treatments. This is not overnight magic; besides the original color of your teeth, other factors will influence the treatment outcomes. These include the duration of treatment, the whitening agent used, lifestyle habits, and your teeth’ condition at the time of treatment. It will also take many treatment sessions before you notice any significant improvements in your teeth’ color.
- Teeth Have Pores
Although your teeth seem to have a smooth and dense surface, they have thousands of microscopic pores. Through these pores, the enamel can absorb stain-causing pigments, causing your teeth to have a yellowish or brown color. The same pores also open up and abord teeth whitening agents to lift out stains. Teeth whitening products have to strip off the protective protein pellicle layer to open up the pores and expose the dentin. This is why your Sauk Rapids dentist will advise you on the necessary aftercare to lessen sensitivity. This may include instruction on what to eat after the whitening procedures while the pores are still closing up.
- Custom-Fitted Trays Deliver Good Results
Most teeth whitening products contain the same ingredients. What makes the difference is the delivery devices used to hold the whitening agent on your teeth. In-office teeth whitening treatments include using a custom-fit whitening tray to ensure all your teeth are evenly coated with the whitening agent. So, regardless of your teeth’ shape, size, and alignment, the whitening agent can spread evenly across all teeth. Some of the best at-home-whitening solutions may not work as expected because the provided standard delivery device fails.
- Dental Appliances Cannot Be Whitened
If you have undergone some dental work that involved the placement of veneers, crowns, or other dental appliances, keep in mind they cannot be whitened. This is because they don’t have the same structure as your natural teeth and will not absorb the whitening agent. However, the good thing is that crowns and veneers can be matched to the shade of your teeth. So, it is best to have your teeth whitened before you get your crowns or veneers placed.
Smile City is a family-friendly dental clinic with a team of passionate staff to meet you and your family’s oral care needs. You can visit us today to learn more about teeth whitening near me and how they change your smile.