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Brushing and flossing are two good habits to help keep your teeth bright, white, and healthy. You may still feel like your smile is not as white, or a little more yellow than it used to be. Don’t worry,  you’re not alone. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry surveyed people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. 

Have you been considering teeth whitening? Not sure what options are best for you? Here are some FAQs to help you understand teeth whitening.

What Causes My Teeth to Stain, or Change Color?

This is a common and natural occurrence. Over time, your teeth can go from bright white to not-so-bright for a number of different reasons, including?

• Food and Drink – Coffee, tea, and red wine are some of the most common, and major causes of teeth staining.
• Tobacco Use – Tar and nicotine are two chemicals that stain your teeth. These chemicals cause yellowish/dark stains to the enamel of your teeth.
• Age – Naturally, over time, our teeth become less bright and white than they when we were younger. Through wear and tear, the outer enamel layer of your tooth gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.
• Trauma – If you’ve had damage to your mouth, your tooth may change color because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel. This can include damage to the root/nerves of your teeth.
• Medications – Darkening and staining of your teeth can be a side effect of certain medications, including antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is a simple, and easy process. Whitening products will contain one of two bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break down stains into smaller sections, making the color less dense, or concentrated, and resulting in brighter teeth.

Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?

There are certain circumstances that teeth whitening will not always work. This is why it’s important to schedule a consultation with our Salt Lake City dental office, and review what options are best for you. Whitening will not work on previous dental pieces such as caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings. Other circumstances that may alter the effectiveness of whitening is if the tooth discoloration is caused by medications or a tooth injury.

What Are My Teeth Whitening Options?

If you are a candidate after speaking with Dr. Kiser, we offer two different types of teeth whitening options for our patients.

• In-Office Bleaching – This procedure is called usually requires only one office visit. Dr. Kiser will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect your gums. Bleach is then applied to the teeth. In office bleaching is typically more effective than take home options.
• At-Home Bleaching – We also provide you the option of a custom-made tray for at-home whitening. In this case, we’ll give you instructions on how to apply the bleaching solution in the tray, how long to apply it, and any other questions you may have. This may be your preferred option if you feel more comfortable whitening in your own home at a slower pace. At home teeth whitening can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Are There Any Side Effects From Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening, or bleaching, is common and safe treatment. However, some patients who use teeth whiteners may experience tooth sensitivity. In most cases the sensitivity is temporary. If sensitivity remains, please contact our office.

Ready to Schedule your teeth whitening treatment? Call our office today for an appointment.