Discolored teeth can be embarrassing and can affect your self-esteem. You might feel insecure every time you’re talking to people.

However, it might be impossible to hide your stained teeth forever. Thankfully, there are already a lot of available teeth whitening treatments that can help you achieve a brighter smile.

But before you try any teeth whitening procedure, you must know what you’re getting in. Here’s everything you should know about teeth whitening.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

Before you dive into the teeth whitening process, it will help to know what caused the staining of your teeth. Several factors, including some natural process and some unhealthy habits, may have caused it.

Food and Drinks

Pigmented food and beverages can stain your teeth the way they do to your clothes. Your teeth have pores that allow it to absorb colours and acids. The most common food and drinks that are known to discolour the teeth include tea, coffee, energy drinks, carbonated drinks, red wine, fruit juices, sauce, sweet and sugary food, berries, and red meat.

Lifestyle

Smoking harms your oral health, too. Nicotine and tar products can cause teeth discoloration when consumed repeatedly. Brown spots may develop on your teeth, which are more difficult to remove than yellow stains. Improper oral hygiene can also lead to plaque buildup in your mouth, which may cause tartar formation.

Medications

Antibacterial medicines might also cause teeth discoloration. The antibiotic called tetracycline, for instance, may cause grey discoloration of the teeth.

Age

The natural process of aging may also cause a decrease in your teeth’s level of whiteness. As you age, the enamel on your teeth slowly erodes, which makes the underlying yellow dentin become more visible.

Genetics

The teeth usually are slightly yellow and not white. This is because the enamel or the outer coating of the teeth has a translucent property and allows the yellow-tinted inner layer, known as the dentin, to be evident.

People are born with different teeth color when they are born. So while some people are gifted with lighter shades of teeth at birth, some also inherit a disease called dentinogenesis imperfecta, which causes the teeth to have blue-grey or yellow-brown hues.

The Benefits of Whitening the Teeth

Going through a teeth-whitening procedure not only enhances your physical appearance, but it also makes you thrive in professional situations, and change your life for the better.

Enhances Appearance and Boosts Self-esteem

A bright smile can help you look good and feel great about yourself. You are better-looking when you smile, and people see you as more attractive, reliable, relaxed, and sincere when you show your pearly whites.

The way your teeth look might be one of the factors that affect how other people judge your level of attractiveness. When your teeth are whiter, you have the confidence to flash your biggest smiles. You won’t need to cover your teeth when laughing and talking.

Makes You Look Younger

Many people agree that smiling can make a person appear younger. According to a study published in Psychology and Aging, people who smile often are perceived to be younger than those who usually have neutral or angry facial expressions. A bright smile also draws more attention to your teeth than the surrounding wrinkles and frown lines.

Easy and Affordable

If you’re looking to get an overall beauty enhancement, your checklist will most likely include a teeth-whitening procedure. Compared to plastic surgeries, bleaching treatments are affordable enhancements that come with several benefits. It’s quick and easy, and won’t require you to go under the knife.

Improves Oral Health Care

Having a set of pearly whites will indicate that you have a good oral care routine. You’d also be more motivated to practice better oral hygiene, especially when you start experiencing the benefits of teeth whitening.

The benefits of good oral health go beyond the aesthetic aspects. You can reduce your risk of several diseases such as mouth ulcers and organ failure if you practice a proper oral care routine.

Helps You Thrive in Your Career

Having a set of pearly whites will indicate that you have a good oral care routine. You’d also be more motivated to practice better oral hygiene, especially when you start experiencing the benefits of teeth whitening.

The benefits of good oral health go beyond the aesthetic aspects. You can reduce your risk of several diseases such as mouth ulcers and organ failure if you practice a proper oral care routine.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

In-office Treatments

Teeth whitening procedures done in clinics or salons are probably the fastest way to whiten teeth. Compared to over-the-counter products and home remedies, in-office treatments are safer and more effective.

Professionals perform the procedure, so you’re guaranteed that the treatments you receive are appropriate for your oral condition. Most beauty salons and clinics use the suited level of hydrogen peroxide concentration and equipment like laser and LED light technology to provide you with the best results.

What to Do and Expect After Each Treatment

Teeth whitening doesn’t end with just the bleaching treatments. There are other things you need to know and do so you can experience the best results.

Side Effects

After the treatments, it is normal to experience sore throat, gum irritation and sensitivity to cold and health temperatures caused by the bleach. However, if oral sensitivity persists more than 14 hours, you might need to consult with the experts.

Duration

It’s important to remember that the effect of teeth whitening procedures is only temporary. The duration depends on where you get your treatments and the method they used.

Lifestyle Changes

No matter how effective teeth whitening treatments are, you will still need to practice certain lifestyle adjustments and proper oral care, like avoiding smoking and refraining from consuming pigmented food and beverages.

Keep in mind that the first few days after the treatments are crucial because your teeth surface are prone to re-absorbing stains. To experience the best results, make sure to floss and brush your teeth regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Who Can Get Teeth Whitening Treatments?

Generally speaking, the ideal patients for bleaching treatments are those people who have healthy gums and teeth and have no restorations. Those with naturally yellow teeth also see better results after whitening procedures.

Unfortunately, some individuals might not be recommended to undergo teeth whitening, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children under 16 years old, and people with tooth sensitivities, allergies, or dental disease. Make sure to check with your oral health care provider before you head on to any procedures.

Whitening your teeth is now easier with the multitude of options available. Make sure to choose the most reliable beauty salon or clinic to enhance your teeth color. If you want to whiten your teeth to a few shades lighter, reach out to Beauty Techniques today and schedule an appointment!