Teeth may be discolored for multiple reasons— some in your control and others as a result of injury or illness.

Food and Drink— Coffee, tea, and red wine are some of the major staining culprits.

Tobacco Use— Tobacco contains tar and nicotine, these two chemicals lead to tough stains on teeth.

Age— Underneath our natural tooth enamel, there’s a softer layer called dentin which is more yellow in color. Overtime, our enamel gets thinner leading to the more yellowish dentin showing through the enamel.

Trauma— Injuries to the mouth and teeth can cause your tooth to change color because it’s not receiving adequate blood flow anymore.

Medications— Certain medications such as some antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications may have a side effect of tooth darkening. Chemotherapy and neck radiation can also lead to darken teeth.

What type of dental whitening is best for you is determined by your specific needs as well as which method is most convenient for your lifestyle.

Some of the different types of dental whitening include:

• Dental teeth whitening. The most thorough form of teeth whitening is done in a dental chair by a skilled dentist. Teeth whitening professionals can make sure that no spots are missed so that you end up with maximized results and a smile you’re satisfied with.

• Whitening toothpaste. Due to its convenience, many people use this method on a daily basis, using ADA-approved whitening toothpaste to maintain glimmering pearly whites.

• At-home teeth whitening solutions. At-home whitening kits usually contain bleach to aid in whitening the teeth and can be obtained from many stores or dentists.

• Teeth whitening trays. While appearing similar to mouth guards, teeth whitening trays are infused with a teeth whitening solution. You may purchase these from your dentist or from many stores.

• Natural teeth whitening solutions. Avoiding things like coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco usage is a natural way to keep your teeth white and unstained.

It is important to note that teeth whitening does not work on all teeth. It is important to check with your dentist to determine the right procedure for your teeth. Certain whiteners may not correct all types of staining and discoloration.

In addition, whitening won’t work on dental appliances like caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings. It’s also highly likely that bleaching your teeth will not be effective if the primary cause for discoloration is medication or trauma.

Because whitening your teeth too frequently can lead to loss of tooth enamel and other dental issues, it’s important to know how often you should have your teeth professionally whitened.

While the frequency of teeth whitening will vary depending on the individual patient, in general, you should aim to have your teeth whitened every 6 months to a year.

After your initial teeth whitening session at The Wobbly Tooth, speak with our dentist about how often they’d recommend that you have your teeth whitened so that you can schedule your next appointment.

There are several main differences between at-home and professional teeth whitening.

Time— At your dentist’s office, you may spend 1-2 hours but leave with teeth 8 shades whiter, whereas at home, you will have to spend 1-2 hours per day over a series of days or weeks for your teeth to become 3-6 shades whiter.

Cost— While at-home whitening kits are perceived as more affordable than a professional whitening visit, it may take multiple kits and increased time to get the results you want. With at-home kits, you may also see inconsistent results depending on your teeth and oral health.

Longevity— Professional in-office whitening can penetrate deeper below the surface of the tooth due to the concentration of the solution, your teeth will stay whiter longer compared to at-home teeth whitening methods.

If you’re interested in having your teeth whitened in our practice or want to start whitening your teeth at home, schedule an appointment with us and see which method is the best for you!