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Are you unhappy with the color of your teeth? Do you want your smile to be brighter and whiter? With help from your Saginaw cosmetic dentist, you can achieve a smile that sparkles through the use of various teeth whitening treatments. Over the years it's common for many people to lose the white, shiny color in their teeth, developing a dingy yellow tint to their teeth. The teeth whitening procedure can be very effective in lightening the color of your teeth by several shades, and results in whiter, brighter teeth for many. There are several options for whitening your teeth, including in-office and at-home whitening. What Causes Tooth Discoloration? Discolorations of your teeth 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 Teeth Whitening in the Comfort of Your Home When used as directed, dentist-dispensed whitening trays and strips can often be even more successful than in-office bleaching in the long run. The key to at-home whitening success is ongoing use and the fact that only small amounts of bleach remain within the tooth structure for up to 36 hours. When a new dose of bleach is applied to a tooth that is retaining the previous day's peroxide, the effect is greater. Even though you can get over-the-counter whiteners without a dentist's recommendation, if you over-use them or use them incorrectly, they can harm your tooth enamel and irritate your gum tissue. Over-bleaching can also produce an undesirable bluish hue, chalky whiteness, or uneven results. Supervision by your dentist can help prevent these problems. Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. Before beginning your whitening process, consult your cosmetic dentist in Saginaw, MI for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them. Your expectations play a significant role in the teeth whitening process. To ensure the health of your smile, visit your Saginaw dentist before choosing an over-the-counter tooth whitener and beginning the whitening processes. Your dentist can make the best recommendation based on your individual needs.
Dr. Greg Herzler, dentist in Saginaw, has been practicing dentistry in Saginaw since 1980 and is continually demonstrating his commitment and concern for every patients comfort and care. He provides an array of services and treatments including, Saginaw teeth whitening, dental implants and veneers.
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