staining

Do you hide your teeth when you talk or smile because you’re embarrassed about their color? At Young Family Dental, we believe you should show off your pearly whites and be proud of your smile. This summer, learn more about how teeth whitening could give you a smile you love in as little as one appointment. 

Teeth Whitening: Understanding Stains

Unfortunately, tooth discoloration is all too common and can happen for many different reasons. However, many types of tooth stains are treatable and even preventable. There are three different categories of staining that you could find on your teeth:

• Extrinsic: this type of tooth discoloration is staining that affects the enamel, or the outer surface of the tooth. Common causes of extrinsic stains include the types of foods and drinks we consume. Tobacco use is another common culprit of this type of tooth staining. 
• Intrinsic: this category of tooth staining is found within the tooth, which makes it more difficult to remove. This kind of staining is commonly caused by certain medications, injury to the tooth, decay, excessive fluoride, and genetics. 
• Age-related: as we age, staining is almost inevitable as the enamel on our teeth begins to wear down. This often causes a yellow appearance to the teeth. Most of the time, age-related staining is a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic causes. 

Teeth Whitening Options 

Certain products may work better than others when it comes to whitening your teeth, which is why it’s important to consult with your dentist before you begin using any at-home tooth whitening product. Your dentist will be able to recommend what they believe will work best for the type of staining you have on your own set of teeth. Common options for stain removal include: 

• Stain removal toothpastes: while all toothpastes help remove surface stains to a certain extent, whitening toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have additional polishing agents that are safe for your teeth and further assist with the stain removal process. These do not bleach your teeth as they only remove stains on the surface. 
• Over-the-counter bleaching products: when you walk through the toothpaste aisle at your store, you’ll see a variety of different options claiming to whiten your teeth with a bleaching agent. However, the concentration of bleaching agents in these is far lower than what you would receive by receiving bleach for at-home treatments from your dentist. If you do wish to try an over-the-counter remedy, be sure it is the ADA Seal of Acceptance. 
• At-home bleaching from dentist: many dentists today will provide you with a custom tray for you to whiten your teeth at-home with. With this, your dentist will give you a bleaching solution and tell you how to use it most effectively. This is the best option for patients who want to whiten their teeth from the comfort of their home, at a slower pace. This type of treatment can take a few days up to weeks to provide results. 
• In-office bleaching: Bleaching that takes place at your dentist often typically only requires one office visit and is usually the most effective. This procedure will include the dentist applying a protective gel to your gums or some type of shield to protect your gums while the bleaching agent is applied directly to your teeth. This process takes about 45 minutes in all. 

Brighter Smile Confidence 

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. Due to this, it’s easy to understand just why a stained smile can have such negative consequences on our self confidence. If you are confident with your smile, you probably find that you’re reluctant to smile. In fact, many studies have shown that the health and appearance of your teeth can directly influence your quality of life. If you find that you cover your mouth or look down when you laugh or introduce yourself to others, it is time to discover what teeth whitening with Young Family Dental could do for you. 

Teeth Whitening with Young Family Dental

At Young Family Dental, we provide both in-office and at-home teeth whitening services so you can choose the option that best fits with your lifestyle and goals. If you are interested in learning more about your teeth whitening options, call any of our five Utah dental office locations to learn more and schedule a consultation today. For a full list of our locations, please click here.