We live in the age of social media where selfie photography is all the rage. This trend, popular with people of all ages, has driven the market for teeth whitening products into the stratosphere.
But before you give in to the latest offering on your feed or become influenced by the hottest influencer, it would be best to check with an actual professional: your dentist in Aurora, CO. At Uptown Comprehensive Dentistry and Prosthodontics, Dr. John Chen is your expert on everything tooth-related, especially whitening; why you need it, the preferred ways to get it done.
Why Are My Teeth Not-So-White Anymore?
Several factors contribute to a person’s teeth losing their brightness.
- What you eat and drink – Foods with vivid color pigments called chromogens stain teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and soy sauce are some common chromogen agents
- Tobacco – These products contain two staining elements: tar and nicotine. Tar is inherently dark in color while nicotine when combined with oxygen, leaves yellow stains on surfaces.
- Age – As we grow older, our tooth enamel, which gives teeth their white color becomes thinner, showing the more yellow dentin layer below.
What Treatments Will Work Best
In our Aurora, CO office, we offer several options to brighten your smile. First, routine cleanings are a good start to restore your teeth' color. By removing the build-up of plaque and tartar, your naturally white tooth surface will be more exposed.
The next and most common treatment is our professional strength peroxide whitening gel which, through oxidizing action, breaks up the stains on your teeth to make them noticeably whiter. Your dentist will also use custom whitening trays to ensure the gel is distributed evenly and thoroughly on your unique tooth surfaces.
More Comprehensive Options
While peroxide whitening can resolve discoloration caused by staining, some discoloration calls for more concentrated action. Teeth with brown, gray, and black stains may not respond fully or quickly to chemical whitening. For these shades, you do have another option: tooth veneers in Aurora, CO
Veneers are thin strips of porcelain that your dentist adheres to your tooth surfaces to conceal dingy portions completely. The procedure begins with minor removal of some enamel so the veneers blend more seamlessly.
Which Solution Is Right for You?
If your goal is to make your teeth whiter and more brilliant, the best way to choose is to consult with Dr. Chen and his staff of dedicated professionals. Pick up the phone and give us a call for a brighter future smile.