Teeth Whitening

Why are my teeth yellow and stained?

As you get older, your teeth collect stains. Over time, the outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, breaks down and wears away. That process reveals your dentin, the inner layer of your teeth. Dentin is naturally yellow, so the more visible it becomes, the yellower your teeth appear.

Other factors that cause stained or discolored teeth include:

• Using tobacco
• Drinking beverages with tannins, like red wine and coffee
• Eating foods that stain, like tomato sauce or berries
• Taking medicine that contains tetracycline

You might also develop yellow or discolored teeth due to poor oral hygiene. To keep your teeth bright and white, it’s important to brush twice a day, floss regularly, and visit Pleasant Family Dentistry every six months for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a safe and noninvasive treatment used to change the color of your tooth enamel and enhance the beauty of your smile. It uses FDA-approved solutions to eradicate stains, ensuring you look and feel your best. 

Teeth whitening offers various benefits, including a more attractive smile and improved oral health. It won’t damage your teeth and is affordable, even if you’re on a budget. The results of teeth whitening treatment aren’t permanent, but with good oral hygiene, they typically last four to six months or longer.

What are the types of teeth whitening?

Pleasant Family Dentistry offers different types of teeth whitening:

In-office teeth whitening

In-office teeth whitening can make your teeth between six and eight* shades brighter in less than two hours. At the beginning of your appointment, your provider applies a whitening solution to the surfaces of your teeth. After the solution sits for several minutes, they point a special light at your teeth, triggering a whitening reaction.

Your provider repeats these steps several times until achieving your desired results. Once your appointment finishes, your provider sends you home with a list of simple maintenance instructions.

Take-home teeth whitening trays

If you’d rather whiten your teeth at home, consider take-home teeth whitening trays. Pleasant Family Dentistry offers several types of take-home whitening trays, including those made by Opalescence™.  

Take-home whitening trays take longer than in-office whitening. To achieve the best possible outcome, wear your trays for between 30 minutes and one hour for a couple of weeks. The length of time it takes to see results depends on the degree of staining and your desired level of whitening.

If you want a whiter, brighter, and more attractive smile, consider teeth whitening at Pleasant Family Dentistry. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the office today.

*Individual results may vary.