How Much Does It Cost for Your Teeth to Be Whitened?
Teeth whitening, also referred to as teeth bleaching, dates back to the 17th century, when barbers would trim men’s hair and file their teeth before prescribing a sulfuric acid mouthwash. Thankfully, today we have simple, safe, and effective teeth bleaching methods that will leave your teeth whiter.
Teeth whitening is simply more than removing stains on teeth surface because this professionally done procedure will treat both intrinsic and extrinsic dental discoloration.
The cost for whitening procedures will vary with the whitening treatment option you choose.
Types of Teeth Stains
According to dental experts, there are about three types of teeth discoloration: intrinsic stains, extrinsic stains, and age-related teeth stains.
Intrinsic teeth stains usually occur beneath your teeth’s surface when stain-causing substances manage to penetrate the outer teeth layer and accumulate within your enamel.
Here are some causes of intrinsic stains:
- Fluorosis
This is a dental condition linked to excess fluoride intake during early childhood. It manifests as brown staining or chalky white deposits on your enamel.
- Oral disease or trauma
Automobile accidents, accidental falls, or contact sports are some of the causes of dental trauma. Teeth are likely to break down at their central core when they get impacted by a sudden traumatic force. This, in turn, may cause the teeth’ color to change to a grey-black color.
- Hereditary
Some hereditary diseases result in imperfect dentine or enamel formation, leading to teeth discoloration. The teeth affected will have a pinkish brown appearance, and going for teeth whitening near you can fix your smile.
- Medical treatments
Drugs like minocycline and tetracycline, which belong to the antibiotic class and are prescribed to treat acne, can sometimes leave a blue-grey banding on your teeth. The severity of the staining will depend on the drugs you are on and the duration you have been on antibiotics.
- Age
As you age, physical composition changes will occur on your teeth, resulting in gradual enamel loss. With time, enamel erosion exposes the underlying dentine layer, which often takes a darker hue. Teeth that have suffered discoloration due to age respond positively to whitening treatment. A dentist near you can remove years of stains from your teeth.
On the other hand, extrinsic stains affect the outer surface of your teeth. They occur when stain particles are left behind as residue after consumption of pigmented drinks or food. Tartar, a yellow substance that is formed from plaque build-up due to poor dental hygiene, chemicals found in cigarettes, and the tannins found in coffee and tea are the main causes of extrinsic teeth stains.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
How long the whitening effects will last after a tooth whitening treatment at Orange Grove Dental will vary depending on the whitening option you opt for. The results of over-the-counter teeth bleaching will last for only a few months as compared to professional dental whitening, which has long-lasting effects. The most widely used dental whitening system is ZOOM Whitening, whose results can last up to two years if followed by a proper aftercare routine.
Over-the-counter whitening strips are an ideal alternative for people looking for at-home whitening solutions, with the effects lasting for 8 to 16 weeks. However, the concentration of the bleaching contents in these products is much lower than what a professional dentist in New Port Richey, like Dr. Srividya Vulugundam, would use. Moreover, since it also uses strips that adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, it may fail to give you the results you’re looking for.
Your oral care routine and consumption can enhance or downgrade the whitening effects. Brushing teeth daily and quitting smoking will keep your teeth noticeably white but remember that teeth stains are inevitable. Smoking, consumption of dark liquids like tea, coffee, and red wine, as well as staining foods like berries and beetroot, will cause stains on your teeth quickly.
Does Whitening Teeth Hurt?
When you visit a dentist’s office near you for a whitening treatment, you will likely have a smooth process because the unique whitening trays will mitigate gum sensitivity. In addition, having teeth whitened at the dentist’s office reduces the risk of getting hurt by the whitening products since they will use standard chemical amounts.