Teeth Whitening

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains from your teeth to brighten their color. If your teeth appear yellow, brown, or dull, teeth whitening is a safe, effective solution to restore their natural shade. 

Two types of stains can build on your teeth: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains accumulate on the surface of your tooth enamel, the protective layer on the outside of your teeth. Intrinsic stains penetrate the deeper layers of your enamel and are harder to remove.

While over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening products can effectively remove some extrinsic stains, they aren’t powerful enough to permeate the deeper layers. At her office, Dr. Modi uses Zoom! teeth whitening to target extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Zoom! can brighten your teeth by up to eight shades in a single treatment.

How does teeth whitening work?

All teeth whitening solutions contain either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. These peroxides contain volatile oxygen molecules that break the chemical bond stains have on your teeth. Once the stains shatter into smaller pieces, the whitening agent can remove them, leaving your teeth noticeably brighter.

What can I expect from teeth whitening?

When you arrive for your appointment, Dr. Modi applies a barrier to your gums and lips before applying the whitening agent. She uses a special LED to activate the solution. The entire process takes about 15 minutes. Dr. Modi repeats the whitening proccess two more times for a total of 45 minutes. 

Your teeth may appear up to eight shades lighter by the time you leave the office. Dr. Modi may recommend returning for touch-up treatments a few times a year to maintain your results.

What causes yellow teeth?

As you age, your teeth may appear darker and duller than it once did. These changes are primarily the result of enamel erosion. Enamel is abundant when you’re young. This thick protective layer keeps your teeth white. When your enamel wears down, it exposes the darker dentin underneath. 

Other factors that can stain and darken your teeth include:

• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Soy sauce, marinara, curry
• Soda
• Certain medications
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• Tobacco use
• Trauma

Genetics also play a role in your tooth color. While some people are born with naturally thick enamel, others have a thinner layer. Teeth grinding and clenching can also erode your enamel and cause discoloration.

To learn more about teeth whitening, call Miracle Smile Dental or schedule an appointment online today.