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If the shine is missing from your smile, teeth whitening, in most cases, can help you achieve a brighter smile in a short amount of time. The quality and appearance of your smile has a direct effect on your personal and business relationships more than any other feature. You can choose to whiten your teeth at home or have your dentist in Houston distribute custom whitening trays, which have proven results. Professional teeth whitening is an easy, safe and effective way to brighten those stained or dull teeth in as little as one appointment. Combined with good oral hygiene, teeth whitening from your dentist can significantly enhance your smile by several shades. Tooth Discoloration and Stains Discolorations of your teeth also fall into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. Extrinsic discoloration occurs in the outer layer of your tooth (enamel). These stains can range from white streaks to yellow tints or brown spots. Intrinsic discoloration occurs in the inner structure of the tooth (dentin) and appears to have a yellow or grey tint.
Your diet can play one of the biggest roles in the coloring of your teeth. Studies have shown that certain types of food can contribute to staining more than others, making it important to pay close attention to the foods that you eat. Red wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, oranges and some acidic foods like citrus fruits or vinegar can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Some other causes of stains include: * Aging
* Smoking
* Teeth grinding
* Trauma
* Medications
* Disease
* Poor dental hygiene Whitening Performed In-Office Professional in-office teeth whitening performed by your cosmetic dentist is the most popular dental procedure in the world today. Unlike at-home whitening systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening takes place under carefully monitored conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel. With this, you can see whitening results immediately. Other advantages of in-office whitening include: * No other teeth whitening procedure produces faster results
* The safest form of tooth bleaching
* Gum and tooth sensitivity are more controllable
Professionally Dispensed Whitening Trays Many dentists offer the option for professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits. Professionally dispensed trays are much more controlled, easier to use and produces better results than over-the-counter whitening. The whitening trays give the most flexibility to patients and are easy to use for touching up your teeth every few months to maintain a sparkling smile. Whitening trays dispensed by your dentist work similarly to over-the-counter kits, but in order to start the process, your dentist will make a custom mold of your teeth so that the tray is custom-fitted to your mouth. This lessens the likelihood of irritation and keeping contact between the bleaching agent and your gums to a minimum. If you are not happy with the color of your teeth, consult your Houston, TX dentist for the best option to whiten your teeth. Teeth whitening is not for everyone, but with proper assessment by your dentist, a whitening plan can be created for your specific needs.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Houston, TX dentist, Dr. Ellen Lim. She is a graduate of the dental program at Northwestern University in Chicago and has been in private practice since 1990. Dr. Lim strives to keep current with the latest advances in dental technology, cosmetic and general dentistry, including dental implants and teeth whitening in Houston.
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