At some point, we’ve all felt as though our smile is lacking whiter teeth. It’s no secret that all the beautiful celebrities we see with perfectly white teeth get them done. Brushing and flossing is a regular way to keep your teeth clean and bright. But what is it is still a little discoloured or yellow? Well, there are ways to fix that issue.  Here’s a guide to teeth whitening.

Reasons for Discolouration

1.  One of the biggest factors that affect the colour of our teeth is food and drink. Beverages such as coffee, wine and tea tend to stain the teeth very quickly. All the beverages mentioned, have a deep pigment known as chromogens which have a tendency to quickly stain the enamel of your teeth.
2. Constant use of tobacco causes discolouration of the teeth as well. The basic substances of tobaccos include nicotine and tar. While tar is naturally dark in colour, nicotine when mixed with oxygen creates a staining substance that has a yellow hue. Tar and nicotine therefore can quickly stain your teeth.
3. A lot of medicines can also be the cause for teeth discolouration. Antibiotics, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure pills and medications have chemicals in them that cause staining of the enamel. Chemotherapy and radiation done on the head and neck area can also lead to discolouration of the teeth.
4. Trauma caused by an accident or physical fights that impact the teeth leads to them becoming darker. Moreover, with age, the outer enamel of the teeth sheds off from brushing and the inner dentin appears which is naturally darker in colour.

 Teeth Whitening Options

1. Special toothpastes are one of the easiest and widely available options to whiten teeth. While most toothpastes are formulated to mildly remove basic teeth stains, there are some that come with a ADA Seal of Acceptance particularly for stain removal. These pastes come with an added benefit of teeth polishing agents. These polishes are safe and are more effective when it comes to removing teeth stains.
2. If you want a proper orthodontic treatment for stubborn stains, you can try the chairside bleaching procedure. For this treatment, you need to take an appointment at your dentist’s clinic. The procedure is completed a single visit to the dentist. The dentist uses a teeth safe bleach to whiten the teeth.
3. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time at the dentist’s you can ask your dentist to prescribe an at-home bleaching solution. The dentist will give you a tray that is designed specifically for at-home bleaching. They will also give you a set of instructions that explain how to use the tray and other components. This process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If you plan to use over-the counter products, it is best to consult your dentist before using the product.

Conclusion

Choosing the right option depends on the intensity of the discolouration. While there are no major side effects to any of the options, there are chances your teeth might feel sensitive after teeth whitening. This sensitivity is temporal and if it is unbearable, consulting your dentist immediately is the best thing to do. You can break your treatment into parts if the sensitivity irritates you a little too much.

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