Have you ever wondered how the celebrities seem to always have a million megawatt smile?
“I would like to have whiter teeth” is one of the most common statements we hear from patients in the dental office. There are a variety of sources that can cause tooth discolouration:
Drinks and food can stain the teeth, including coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, cola, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, beets, and more!
Smoking causes accumulation of stain on the teeth
Trauma may cause changes to the internal structure and colour of the tooth
Teeth naturally darken with age due to biologic processes occurring from the inside
When it comes to achieving a whiter smile, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to determine the cause of tooth discolouration before deciding which treatments will work to brighten the smile. Some options that may be available are:
Surface whiteners - These are generally minimally abrasive products, such as whitening gums or toothpastes, intended to remove surface stains from teeth.
Professional teeth cleaning with a dental hygienist - They will remove the plaque, tartar, and surface stain that may be contributing to a yellow appearance of the teeth.
“Bleaching” - This can be done with consumer products from the store, most of which are peroxide-based. Products from dental offices are generally more potent and may result in a quicker or more effective result. Bleaching can be done to both the inside and outside of a tooth, depending on the source of discolouration.
Wearing darker lipstick - People with a darker skin tone or who wear darker makeup generally give off the illusion of brighter teeth.
Sometimes, none of these options achieve the result of an ideal smile that a person is looking for. This may be where the discussion around cosmetic restorations comes into play. If you are interested in learning more about the options available to get that Hollywood glow, stop by the office for an evaluation! Happy smiling :)