Most people will brush their teeth twice a day, sometimes three if you have access to a bathroom after lunch. Flossing will also help maintain healthy gums and good oral health, but what if your teeth are discolored no matter how many times you brush your teeth? There is a variety of toothpaste products that claim to give you whiter teeth, but do they work and are their effects permanent? Let’s have a quick look at why your teeth change color over time and how you can achieve a brighter smile.
Why Do Teeth Change Color?
There are a few reasons for this. These include:
- Genetics: The coloring of your teeth can happen for genetic reasons, which means not everyone will have pearly white teeth. However, just because your outer enamel is not perfectly white, it does not mean you can’t take steps to improve its color.
- Staining through foods and drinks: Some foods and drinks can stain your teeth, and this will all add up over a period of time. Red wine, tea and coffee are the main culprits.
- Smoking: Tar and nicotine can create a very yellow effect on your teeth. This is because the nicotine, which is usually colorless, turns yellow when it comes into contact with oxygen.
- Natural aging process: As we age, the enamel on the outside of the teeth will wear, revealing the yellow dentin layer beneath.
Use A Whitening Toothpaste
Although you can obtain a toothpaste that can help whiten the surface of the teeth, they do not actually “whiten” your teeth. They work harder than normal toothpastes to remove the stain that is on the surface of the tooth, so it will appear whiter, but really it has just been cleaned more effectively.
How Can I Get A Pearly White Smile?
There are a few ways you can get a brighter smile. These can include: teeth whitening, dental caps, veneers, white fillings, and a number of other possibilities. Not all possibilities and options are available to everyone, which is why it is important to speak to your dentist and obtain a full assessment.
Should I Use A Home Whitening Kit?
There are many different tooth whitening kits on the market, and whilst they may produce some results in varying degrees of success, the chemicals used are less effective than those used by a qualified dentist due to the laws regarding home bleaching. In fact, using a home tooth whitening kit may cause more damage and discoloration or patching of color to your teeth. The chemicals can even leak out of the trays if overfilled and cause damage to your gums or other soft tissues in the mouth if you do not follow the instructions precisely. This is why it is better to have a dentist look at your overall oral health, condition of teeth, color of teeth, gum health, etc., before making a final decision about whether tooth whitening treatment would be effective for you.
The Best Way To Get A Brighter Smile
Your dentist will be able to carry out a full assessment of all factors before recommending the best treatment plan that will give you the best and brightest smile possible. Dr. Alex Rubinov is an experienced cosmetic dentist who will be happy to take you through the options. Please call (718) 253-0800 to make an appointment.