Have you perfected the art of smiling without showing your teeth? If your teeth are dull or stained, you may feel more comfortable keeping them out of sight. Fortunately, your Foothill Ranch, CA, dentist, Dr. Riad of Foothill Family Dental, can help you erase dental stains with teeth whitening treatment.

Whitening dramatically transforms your smile

Whitening your teeth doesn't just boost your self-esteem and self-confidence but may also affect the way other people perceive you. Thirty-seven percent of people surveyed by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry mentioned that they found people with imperfect smiles less attractive, and 48 percent noted that they consider smiles the most memorable features.

Dull smiles are a common problem. Smoking and eating and drinking dark foods and beverages create stains in your tooth enamel. Despite frequent brushing, the stains may remain and worsen as the years go by. Drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine can increase your risk of stains, as can eating berries and other dark foods.

Bleaching away stains with teeth whitening offers a simple, fairly inexpensive way to keep your smile looking its best. Although results vary from person to person, you can expect to see a three- to eight-shade improvement in the color of your teeth after teeth whitening.

Your whitening appointment at the Foothill Ranch dental office will include:

• Dental Cleaning: If your teeth haven't been cleaned recently, you'll need a cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Unfortunately, whiteners can't penetrate these substances. If plaque and tartar aren't removed before whitening, your teeth would look speckled.
• Protective Equipment: Your dentist will place retractors in your mouth to hold your cheeks and lips away from your teeth during whitening. Shields will also be used to protect your gums.
• Application of the Whitening Gel: A gel that contains hydrogen peroxide, a natural whitener, will be applied to your teeth during Zoom whitening. Exposing the gel to the Zoom light helps the gel penetrate your enamel. The gel will be wiped off and reapplied approximately every 15 minutes during your one-hour whitening session.

Improve your smile with teeth whitening. Call your dentist in Foothill Ranch, CA, Dr. Riad of Foothill Family Dental, at (949) 273-8600 to schedule an appointment.