At Cashmere Family Dentistry, we want our patients to be happy with their smiles! Our team understands that staining or discoloration can cause some to avoid showing off their grin in front of friends and family, so we offer teeth whitening services to help them regain confidence. Read on to learn common causes of staining, our services, and tips to achieve a brighter smile!
Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Dark Foods and Liquids
The most significant cause of stained teeth is consuming dark foods and liquids such as berries, red wine, soda, black tea, and one of the strongest being coffee. Your tooth enamel may feel smooth, but it has a microscopic porous surface where these refreshments can seep into and cause discoloration if not washed away. You may not notice a change overnight, but it embeds into your teeth the more you eat or drink these items, becoming more complicated to simply brush it out yourself.
Tobacco Use
Regularly using tobacco products exposes your teeth to nicotine. It appears colorless, though it turns yellow when exposed to the air. The staining process begins as nicotine builds up on the surface of your teeth.
The more often you use tobacco, the faster your teeth will start to stain, changing from yellow to shades of light and dark brown. Long-term staining can be tough to remove on your own and may require professional care. Constant use additionally makes you more vulnerable to suffering from gum disease.
Tooth Trauma
If you suffer a direct injury to your teeth or jaw, you may be left with discoloration on the affected teeth. Should you experience a tooth trauma, whether that be a car crash, fall, or sports injury, your inner dental pulp gets damaged, disrupting its natural blood flow and sometimes triggering internal bleeding. Staining may not be immediate and can occur for weeks following the incident.
The Aging Process
Your teeth may also change colors simply due to getting older. As you age, your tooth enamel gets stretched out, allowing the layer underneath, known as dentin, to be exposed. Dentin’s natural color has a yellowish hue. Unlike your food choices and tobacco use, discoloration through aging is an unavoidable side effect. It may additionally leave your teeth more likely to suffer from decay and further damage.
Achieve a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening
Phillips ZOOM Treatment
Phillips Zoom Lightspeed is a great choice when starting treatment or simply looking to touch up the work already done. You can expect your teeth to be up to eight shades white in less than an hour!
The process requires just one appointment, using a simple, two-layer application. Upon beginning your appointment, Drs. Ryan and Janie Busk will take note of your current tooth shade and undergo a quick cleaning of your teeth and gums. They will then apply a thin layer of whitening varnish to each tooth. This dries almost instantly. The second layer protects your teeth from potential sensitivity with a light sealant.
Just like that, the treatment is complete! All you need to do is brush your teeth within a half hour after application to brush off the varnish. We will provide you with custom trays and a tube of touch-up gel to refresh the treatment as needed.
At-Home Whitening
We additionally offer at-home whitening for those who prefer treatment on their own schedule. Our team will provide you with a set of custom whitening trays and prescription gel. Each night, you will squeeze the gel into these trays and wear them for around an hour, or as prescribed by Drs. Ryan and Janie Busk.
Within just two weeks, you can look forward to a whiter smile! Like in-office treatment, we will give patients touch-up gel to refresh their teeth. Eating and drinking dark foods and drinks may cause your teeth to discolor again. We encourage you to brush your teeth after meals or drink water to avoid staining.
Maintaining a Healthy Smile
Drink Water Throughout the Day
Did you know drinking water is one of the best ways to naturally keep your teeth clean and safe from staining? Water contains a beneficial mineral known as fluoride that washes away acid, plaque buildup, and bacteria. It works to wash away these substances to protect your tooth enamel and avoid further discoloration before dark liquids or drinks enter the pores.
You can even use a straw if you want to avoid as much contact between your teeth and staining substances as possible. Moderating your intake can minimize the opportunity your teeth have to soak in the foods and drinks you consume. We recommend giving your teeth a quick brush after meals if a toothbrush is handy to avoid anything lingering on your teeth.
Attend Your Biannual Cleanings
Cashmere Family Dentistry encourages you to attend your twice-yearly dental cleanings. During these routine appointments, Dr. Ryan and Janie Busk will look for signs of common complications, clean off any stains, polish your teeth, and remove plaque buildup.
Our team helps you monitor your teeth and provide early diagnoses of anything concerning. The earlier we are able to take care of staining, the easier and more effective results you can look forward to!
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
When you keep up with your general oral hygiene, you are already making the right decisions to maintain your smile. By brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, specifically using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, your teeth are sure to stay in excellent condition for longer! When you start to notice signs of staining, touch up your teeth with your take-home whitening kit as soon as you can before it starts to set in.
Keep Your Smile Shining!
Teeth whitening treatment is a simple procedure that helps patients enjoy a brand-new look! Drs. Ryan and Janie Busk are passionate about ensuring confidence in your smile. Our team proudly serves the community of Cashmere and those surrounding the area. Request an appointment with our team today and protect your dental health.
