You don’t have to smoke, chew tobacco, or drink gallons of coffee to have yellowed, dingy, dull-looking teeth. Lots of factors contribute to tooth discoloration. The good news is, no matter what causes your tooth stains, there’s a solution that can restore your beautiful, white, healthy-looking smile.
At Perfect Smiles of Reston in Reston, Virginia, Aramesh Darvishian, DDS, understands the impact of a dingy-looking smile. She offers her patients state-of-the-art solutions aimed at helping each one feel more confident and look more attractive. Here’s how she can help you.
Why teeth turn yellow
Every day, your teeth are exposed to all sorts of dyes and colorings in the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. In fact, they’re exposed to so many pigments — natural and artificial — it’s kind of surprising that stains aren’t more common and dramatic. For that, you can thank your teeth’s natural enamel layer that works hard to keep stains from penetrating.
Although your enamel can keep a lot of stains at bay, it can’t keep all stains out. Some foods, like foods high in acid content, temporarily soften enamel or wear it away, making it easier for stains to penetrate.
Some of the most common causes of tooth stains include:
- Berries
- Red wine
- Tomato products
- Coffee and tea
- Deeply pigmented spices, like turmeric
- Tobacco
These stains are found mostly in the more superficial layers of the tooth material. Deeper stains are typically caused by:
- Tooth trauma
- Root canal treatment
- Certain medications
- Illness or metabolic disease
In most cases, this type of deep stain can’t be corrected with whitening. But there is another way to improve your smile.
Restoring your pearly whites
Dr. Darvishian offers several options for restoring stained, dingy teeth.
In-office teeth whitening
In-office whitening uses professional-grade whitening agents that are applied to the surfaces of your teeth. The gel remains on your teeth for about an hour, then it’s washed away. A lip guard keeps the gel from being wiped away while you wait for your results. This type of whitening treatment is fast and effective, making your teeth about 3-8 shades whiter in just one visit.
Take-home teeth whitening
Take-home whitening kits are another great solution for dingy, dull, yellowed teeth. Because they can be used in the comfort of your own home, many patients find our kits to be a convenient way to whiten whenever they have a little free time. At-home kits use trays custom-molded to the shape of your teeth to keep the whitening agent in contact with the tooth surfaces.
Veneers
Dental veneers are super-thin coverings that are adhered to your tooth surfaces using strong dental cement. Veneers can be shaped and tinted to blend in perfectly with your neighboring teeth. They’re a great solution for teeth with deep discoloration that can’t be treated with whitening solutions.
Maintaining your results
One of the best ways to maintain the results of your whitening treatment (and keep your veneers looking their best) is to make sure you practice good oral hygiene at home. Brushing with a whitening toothpaste and using a whitening mouthwash can help. but most importantly, brush and floss regularly using the right techniques (which you can find here).
It’s also really important to visit our office every six months for a professional cleaning. Our hygienists use special tools to clean away hard tartar deposits that you can’t remove with regular brushing and flossing, plus they can give you tips on how to improve your techniques at home.
Finally, our take-home kits are also a great solution for touching up in-office whitening treatments so your results last as long as possible.
Professional treatments vs. over-the-counter kits
One final word: Don’t be fooled by over-the-counter whitening treatments. Not only do these products not whiten as quickly, thoroughly, or effectively as professional whitening treatments, but they often yield inconsistent results, and — worse still — they can cause considerable tooth sensitivity.
Plus, without a professional cleaning prior to whitening, any plaque or tartar left on your tooth surfaces can interfere with your results, leaving you less than satisfied with your smile. Professional teeth whitening uses techniques and formulas only available to dental professionals, for optimal results you can feel confident about.
Ready to restore your beautiful smile? We’re ready to help. Call 703-436-9461 or book an appointment online today at Perfect Smiles of Reston to learn more.