Have a Whiter Smile for Valentine's Day
Every day here at my practice in Darien, CT, I speak with my patients about dental treatment, answering their questions, and inevitably the topic of tooth whitening comes up. I wanted to allow you to hear what I share with them about how to get a whiter smile.
After 37 years of practicing dentistry, I have seen many changes in the tooth-whitening industry. I was even hired as a consultant by a tooth whitening company to speak for them about their products to magazines and online sources after I researched their products. I also visited the headquarters of another major company that is a lead producer of tooth whiteners and saw how their products are made and tested. I, myself, also have used just about every tooth whitener on the market.
Tooth whiteners are safe and effective. The problems arise when the specific product and process are not discussed with your dentist. Everyone is different, every tooth color is different and the why and how those teeth are discolored are different too. Some people say they tried to whiten their teeth and it just didn’t work. Well maybe they used a product not suited for them, maybe their teeth weren’t cleaned first, or maybe they didn’t use it long enough. Tooth whiteners come in various strengths. Some are for home use in trays, some we apply in the dental chair, and sometimes one tooth in particular is darker than the rest. For the best results, talk with a dentist who has experience with tooth whitening.
After agreeing upon the best product for you, there are other factors that you are in control of that can help give you better results, and also not discolor your teeth in the future. First, start with clean teeth. Clean as in have them cleaned by a hygienist. Second, while you are whitening, do not drink dark-colored beverages of any kind. Stick to clear fluids. If you are a coffee drinker, put something in it like milk, cream, or creamer. I would have to say black coffee, red wine, and cold drinks are the biggest offenders that cause tooth discoloration. If you are serious about keeping your teeth bright and white, avoid them. If you must drink them, drink water afterward or brush your teeth. Also, keep your teeth clean. Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. Studies have shown that clean teeth are whiter teeth by at least a shade, or up to 3 shades, as determined by a colorimeter guide. Finally, being a smoker and having white natural teeth is just not possible.
In the rare cases that a tooth is discolored due to trauma or a large silver filling or it has been root canal treated, and it will not whiten, the tooth can be covered with a crown or veneer to give it a porcelain cover in the shade to match the surrounding teeth that have been whitened.
Having whiter teeth is possible. Following some good habits, choosing the best products that we can offer you, and having an informative consultation with us at our dental practice can help you have that whiter smile you are looking for.