Someone once said: “you’re never fully dressed without a smile.” That’s easier for some people than others. Through what you drink and eat, and changes brought on by age, your once bright white teeth can lose their shine. And when discoloration shows, you might start thinking about DIY teeth whitening, one in a suite of cosmetic dentistry services that includes professional whitening.It may be described in the books as cosmetic but improving the appearance of your smile can make a huge difference in your life. When you’re feeling confident to smile wide, it brings forth a level of energy to your persona.
Why Do Teeth Lose Their Color?
It’s important to first understand some of the reasons why teeth lose their color. Some things are within our control, but others are not. According to the American Dental Association, reasons for teeth losing their original color include:
Diet, especially drinking soda, coffee, tea or red wine.
Smoking or chewing tobacco.
Age. Over your life you lose more of the enamel that surrounds your teeth, exposing other layers of different color.
Injury. If your tooth sustains substantial damage, your body may react by producing a substance called dentin, which has a darker color.
Medications. Certain drugs may cause a reaction that darkens your teeth.
If you don’t like the discoloration, there are some ways to help roll back these effects, such as through DIY whitening products.
DIY Teeth Whitening
Tooth “bleaches” — made of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide — are the centerpiece of both DIY teeth whitening and professional teeth whitening in a dentist’s office. According to the American Dental Association, these products work to break down their stains, allowing the white to shineIt’s not guaranteed that either DIY teeth whitening or professional whitening, will work equally well in every circumstance. Some stains are just too stubborn, and others don’t respond well in all instances. Whitening strips and related products are now available in supermarkets, drug stores and large retailers. But there are other options for DIY teeth whitening. These include whitening toothpaste. Another alternative is at-home bleaching trays provided by your dentist.
Keys to Better Dental Health
While whitening services are classified as cosmetic, there are a whole host of actions you can take that will help create better all-around dental health. The first is obvious, and you’ve probably heard the refrain a million times from your dentist (or your mother): Brush. Floss. Repeat.Brushing helps keep damaging acids off your teeth, which can lead to discoloration. Flossing clears tiny particles of food that lodge themselves in dark corners of your mouth, waiting for the right bacteria to come along. Doing these two things faithfully will make a big difference in your smileThe second step is keeping regular visits with your dentist. While it has been getting better, the percentage of adults receiving regular dental care has room for improvement. These services fall in the category of general dentistry, as well as in other communities around the nation. For children, specialty dental services will establish a lifetime of good habits.
A Brighter Smile
Age has its way of taking its toll on all of us, and even if you do everything perfectly, you can still end up needing DIY teeth whitening services. These products, now widely available in grocery and drug stores, can be simple to apply and work quickly to bring a sheen back to your smile. For harder problems, you always have the option of visiting your dentist, who can apply professional-grade cleaning to get you where you’d like to go. Contact your dental professional to discuss the best option for you.
