Everybody wants to look in the mirror and love the smile looking back at them. Often, that begins with a beautiful bright white smile. We offer in-office and at-home whitening solutions as part of our cosmetic dentistry offerings. Teeth whitening in our Towson, MD, dental office can improve your self-confidence. Dr. Kevin Welinsky will work with you to create your dream smile.
Common Causes of Tooth Stains
Tooth stains can happen to anyone and are usually caused by various factors. The most common causes of tooth stains include:
- Food and Drinks: Many of the foods and beverages we consume can stain our teeth. Dark-colored drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can leave marks on teeth over time. Certain fruits, like blueberries and blackberries, and sauces, like soy sauce, can also contribute to stains.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco is another major cause of tooth stains. Tobacco products contain substances that can stick to teeth and cause them to turn yellow or brown. Quitting tobacco can help improve your dental health and reduce staining.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly can lead to plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can harden into tartar if not removed. Tartar can make teeth appear discolored and can lead to more serious dental issues.
- Aging: As we get older, our teeth can naturally become stained. The outer layer of enamel can wear down over time, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath. This can make teeth look darker or more stained.
- Medications: Some medications can cause tooth discoloration. For example, antibiotics, like tetracycline, can stain teeth in children if taken during tooth development. Other medications, like high blood pressure drugs, can also affect tooth color.
- Fluoride Overexposure: Fluoride is essential for strong teeth. However, too much fluoride, especially during childhood, can lead to a condition called dental fluorosis. This can cause white spots or brown stains on teeth.
The Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Compared to store-bought options, our whitening treatment provides custom care. Professional whitening treatment offers these benefits:
The Safest Option
Dr. Welinsky and Dr. Bederson can advise you if the discoloration of your teeth results from an underlying factor that will not respond to whitening treatment. This will save you from continuing to try for impossible results and harming your teeth. Excessive whitening can damage your teeth.
Long-Lasting Results
Unlike store-bought whitening treatments, a professional whitening treatment from Dr. Welinsky and Dr. Bederson typically provides results that last a long time. Dr. Welinsky and Dr. Bederson can also provide you with a take-home maintenance kit. This kit may include custom-fit trays and whitening gel to use at home, especially if you would like to see your teeth another shade or two brighter.
Designed Just For You
Most whitening treatments, especially trays and strips, are sold as one-size-fits-all. In reality, these rarely fit the majority of users because each person’s smile is different in size and shape. Ill-fitting trays and strips are the biggest reason patients experience uneven whitening and sensitivity in the teeth and gums.
For the in-office whitening treatment, Dr. Welinsky and Dr. Bederson apply the gel onto each tooth. They evenly cover each tooth. These custom trays provide uniform application of the whitening treatment. They also protect the lips and gums from making contact with the gel.
Professional Strength
The whitening products sold in stores contain a small amount of whitening agent, usually around 3 percent peroxide. It may provide results for patients who have light stains on their teeth. However, it may not do much for those with severe or intrinsic stains. Most over-the-counter products will provide results one to two shades brighter.
The whitening gel Welinsky and Bederson use comes in a professional strength only available to dentists, with up to 35 percent peroxide strength. The gel can penetrate the enamel of your teeth to remove stubborn stains the store-bought kits cannot touch. Our professional treatment can whiten your teeth by up to ten shades in just one visit.
Teeth Whitening Treatment in Towson, MD
One of the biggest advantages of a professional whitening treatment comes from the knowledge that Dr. Welinsky possesses about teeth staining. Dr. Welinsky will begin your whitening treatment by performing an exam of your teeth to try and determine the cause of the stains.
Dr. Welinsky will mostly see extrinsic stains, those that appear on the outside of the teeth. These stains are caused by the food and beverages we consume, as well as lifestyle choices such as using tobacco and other environmental factors. Sometimes, however, Dr. Welinsky will find that a patient has intrinsic stains, which come from inside the teeth. These stains prove very hard to remove, and may not even respond to professional treatment.
Occasionally, your discolored teeth may indicate another issue. Teeth that appear darker than normal may signify tooth decay or a problem with a root canal. Dr. Welinsky can identify these issues when you come in for a whitening treatment and repair the tooth, rather than masking the problem with a whitening treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Learn more about teeth whitening in our Towson, MD dental office with answers to these common patient questions:
Is it bad to professionally whiten teeth?
No. In fact, getting your teeth whitened by a trained professional is the safest way to whiten your teeth. You can avoid issues with sensitivity and patchy results if you go to a professional instead of using over-the-counter products.
Why do my teeth look yellow after whitening?
Yellowness even after whitening is a sign that you have thing tooth enamel. This is something that happens as we age, but can also be an effect of other issues. If you have thin enamel, we offer whitening solutions like porcelain veneers that can cover your teeth and provide the shade of white you desire.
How long will my teeth stay white?
Factors like your eating, drinking, and lifestyle habits can all impact how long the effects of professional whitening lasts. It can range anywhere from 6 months to 2-3 years. We can also provide touch-up sessions so you can experience the effects longer.
Get a Bright Smile
Do you want to lift years of tooth stains from your teeth? Call Sweet Tooth Dentistry for professional teeth whitening in Towson, MD, at 410-449-7656. You may also schedule an appointment with us online.
If you have questions about your options, let us know. We’re here to help you.