Greet the New Year With White, Bright Teeth

Teeth whitening brightens your look and even takes years off your perceived age. Bright, white teeth are associated with health and youth; white teeth also make the rest of your face look healthier.

If you’ve tried to whiten your teeth with over-the-counter kits, you’ve probably been disappointed. They take a long time, and the results are less than stellar. Luckily, with professional teeth whitening, your experience is just the opposite of that. 

At Laguna Vista Dental in Elk Grove, California, our expert dentists, Krystle Fenton, DDS, and Benjamin Radlein, DDS, offer teeth whitening as part of our cosmetic dental services. Here’s how we help you greet the new year with a bright new smile.

What causes teeth stains?

The effects of aging, combined with what you drink and eat and how well you maintain your oral hygiene, can lead to discolored and stained teeth. Your smile may have dulled because of the following reasons: 

• Poor oral hygiene habits
• Certain medications
• Old age
• Smoking
• Caffeine 
• Berries and other dark fruits
• Red and white wine

Tooth discoloration comes in two types. Understanding each helps you adopt habits to maintain a healthy, bright smile.

Extrinsic teeth stains

Extrinsic tooth stains occur on the surface of your teeth when pigmented residue from food or beverages builds up and leaves behind discoloration. Tobacco, coffee, or tea typically cause extrinsic tooth stains. Whitening toothpaste and regular dental cleanings may help reduce extrinsic stains between professional whitening sessions.

Intrinsic teeth stains

A stain occurring below the tooth’s surface is an intrinsic tooth stain. These develop more slowly than extrinsic stains because particles have to work through the tooth’s exterior. An intrinsic tooth stain is also harder to remove and kits can’t address them. It may require bleaching using professional chemical teeth-whitening to get below the enamel.

Keep your teeth white

A few habits can help protect your teeth from stains. Employ these strategies:

• Limit coffee or tea, or drink them through a straw to limit direct exposure to your teeth
• Brush at least twice a day to kill bacteria that cause plaque
• Once or twice a week, use a whitening toothpaste

Don’t forget your biannual dentist visits for preventive care. We thoroughly clean your teeth and remove stains that build up between appointments.

Whiten with power

Good habits keep your teeth healthy and relatively stain-free. But if you want a drastic and long-lasting improvement, you need a professional teeth whitening treatment.  

Teeth whitening is a straightforward process that’s completed in one short appointment. We fill special trays with whitening gel and place them on your teeth while you relax. We then apply a blue LED light that rapidly whitens teeth, minimizes tooth sensitivity, and protects your enamel. 

Professional teeth whitening requires no downtime. It’s a trusted, quick, and effective method to whiten your teeth. You may also opt for an at-home whitening kit with a custom-fit tray. They are also perfect for touch-ups between professional sessions. 

Don’t forget to keep your smile white with regular teeth cleanings. These appointments are also important for identifying and treating cavities, plaque buildup, and discoloration before becoming a health concern. 

If you’re ready to greet the new year with a bright, white smile, call us for teeth whitening today or book an appointment online.