Are you unhappy because your teeth are discolored? Do you think your discolored teeth make you look older or unhealthy? Good news: teeth whitening can dramatically brighten your teeth to make your smile more youthful and healthy-looking.

While there are many teeth whitening products available these days, there is no substitute for professional whitening by a dentist. If you are looking for a skilled cosmetic dentist in your area, visit the lovebites directory and contact a cosmetic dentist near you today.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is brightening your teeth by removing stains from your teeth. Our teeth start out smooth, but over time the surface becomes etched by acidic foods, drinks, and excretions from oral bacteria. This creates crevices and ridges that can trap staining molecules.

Recommended teeth whiteners use chemicals that are safe for your teeth to break down these staining molecules so they no longer discolor your teeth. However, some products use abrasion to try to remove the stains. This can remove stains, but it also removes the white part of your teeth, called the enamel. In the short run, it can make your teeth whiter, but as your enamel thins, the next layer of the tooth–which is darker–can begin to show through, making your teeth permanently discolored.

What Can Teeth Whitening Do?

Teeth whitening is good at removing surface stains from your teeth. This includes stains from tobacco as well as dark-colored foods and drinks such as:

Tea
Coffee
Chocolate
Red wine
Dark beer
Cola
Berries

Sometimes, stains related to tetracycline antibiotics and other medications can also be removed, but it depends on the degree of staining and the type of whitening used.

However, whitening can’t remove discoloration that’s related to:

Tooth decay (cavities)
Metal amalgam fillings
Discolored restorations
Poorly formed enamel
Tooth trauma
Thin enamel

If your discoloration is related to these causes, you need to conceal the discoloration with restorations like veneers or dental crowns.

Why See a Dentist for Teeth Whitening

There are many products out there for whitening your teeth, but when all is said and done, it’s best to see a dentist for your teeth whitening. That’s because your dentist will give you the best results from your whitening while ensuring your teeth and gums are protected.

First, your dentist will evaluate the cause of your staining and make sure whitening will be effective. Why waste time and money on products that won’t give you the results you’re looking for?

Plus, a dentist will evaluate your teeth to make sure they’re healthy enough for whitening.

Dentists can use stronger whitening compounds than are available in the products you buy at the store. This not only means better whitening, it means faster whitening.

The trays, strips, swabs, and other other tools you get in whiteners at the store can be hard to apply evenly. This can make your teeth whiten unevenly, which can make your teeth look worse. Dentists either paint the whitener precisely on your teeth, or make a custom whitening tray that keeps the whiteners on your teeth for more effective whitening with little or no gum irritation.

While you might try an at-home whitener, if you’re not happy with the results, you should see a dentist.

Contact a lovebites Dentist

lovebites has recruited some of the best dentists in the country into its network of cosmetic dentists. If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist near you to provide high-quality whitening, please contact a local lovebites dentist today.