Smiling is a natural part of expressing yourself, so it’s easy to become self-conscious if you don’t like how your teeth look. People often become self-conscious about the color of their teeth because they want them to look their whitest, even if that isn’t their natural color.
Your teeth can become discolored for several reasons, and teeth whitening is a way to brighten your smile. While you can try home kits that you can find at the drugstore, getting professional teeth whitening can offer you quicker results with expert care and better results.
When you choose to get brighter teeth, you can trust the cosmetic dentistry team at Nusblatt Dental. You also should know what to expect during and after the treatment so you can enjoy your brighter smile with lasting results.
The natural color of your teeth results from the color of the dentin, which is the tooth layer just below the enamel. Dentin’s color is often between a yellow or a pale white, which can affect the look of the enamel that covers it.
While healthy teeth can be a darker color than white, several factors can also cause tooth discoloration, such as staining, thinning enamel from aging, injury, family history, and certain medications. The color of the tooth itself can indicate any underlying issues:
It’s important to treat any oral health issues before undergoing teeth whitening. Nusblatt Dental offers a full range of restorative dentistry services. The whitening agent doesn’t work on discoloration that’s deep within the tooth structure. Talk to our team to be sure professional whitening is right for you.
The discoloration of teeth is either intrinsic or extrinsic, meaning the stains are on the outside or inside of them, respectively. Our methods of brightening teeth treat extrinsic issues, using a combination of carbamide peroxide to weaken tooth stains and a special light to enhance the process to give you great results in a short time.
In the dental office, we can use a more significant concentration of the whitening agent under controlled conditions than you can get with over-the-counter at-home kits. For more gradual results, we can also create customized teeth-whitening trays, which you can wear at home, and provide a professional-grade whitening gel.
After the treatment, you may experience a bit of irritation or sensitivity up to a week afterward. Maintaining a bright smile starts with standard daily oral hygiene — brushing twice and flossing once each day — and be sure to keep up with routine oral health visits with your dental team.
To keep your teeth looking whiter for as long as possible, avoid foods and drinks that stain teeth, such as dark berries, coffee, tea, and wine. Using a straw when drinking things that stain teeth can reduce their impact. Chewing tobacco and smoking are also discouraged. Rinse your mouth after drinks and meals, and use a recommended whitening toothpaste.
If you want brighter teeth, contact the team at Nusblatt Dental in the East Village of Manhattan, New York, to get great results and to learn more tips about how to keep them shining for as long as possible.
