People have the common misconception that teeth should be perfectly white, but this isn’t the case. Even if you diligently brush your teeth twice a day, every single day, there are a couple of reasons why your teeth may not be as white as you would like them to be. Our team at Somba Kè Family Dental has put together this article so that you can find out why your teeth aren’t pearly white and find advice on how to make them whiter.
#1 Teeth Aren’t Naturally White
To begin, any dentist near you will tell you that your teeth are not naturally white. Even if your teeth were to never come into contact with staining agents, they are naturally off-white and would still appear that way.
The portion of your tooth visible above the gum line is made of enamel and dentin. Dentin is the hard tissue that makes up the majority of your tooth’s structure, and it is encased in protective enamel. Both of these structures can cause your teeth to appear discolored.
#2 Teeth Are Stained
Most of the time, teeth become stained from the substances that individuals eat and drink, as well as other lifestyle choices.
Smoking is a large culprit when it comes to stained teeth, but it isn’t the only cause. Regular ingestion of berries, coffee, red wine, and cola can all cause teeth staining. Sometimes, even prescription medications and fluoride can cause staining.
Even if you brush your teeth daily, your teeth will likely stain over time if you regularly consume dark-colored substances.
#3 Brushing Isn’t Designed to Whiten Teeth
Brushing your teeth is meant to remove harmful bacteria and plaque but not to whiten them. As recommended by your dentist, brushing twice a day is vital because it prevents cavities and tooth decay. Brushing alone will not whiten your teeth, though, and even whitening toothpaste only has a minimal effect on your teeth.
Over-The-Counter Whitening Options
There are many options for over-the-counter teeth whitening in Yellowknife. These products can offer some benefits, but they are often extremely limited in what they can do to whiten your smile.
Whitening strips, toothpastes, and mouthwashes can only affect surface enamel and thus only get surface-level stains out. Additionally, many over-the-counter whitening treatments do not offer even results, and patients end up with patchy teeth.
Overuse of over-the-counter whitening products can do more harm than good since many of them can damage your tooth enamel when used improperly.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
The best and safest way to get a whiter, brighter smile is to visit a dental clinic in Yellowknife for professional teeth whitening near you.
Depending on your teeth and desired appearance, there are several recommendations that your dentist might make. For example, you may be offered an in-office bleaching treatment or be given custom-made whitening trays to use at home. Both options will provide you with an enhanced, radiant smile, and you can rest assured that you will receive quick, safe, and long-lasting results.
If you are interested in learning more about achieving whiter teeth in a safe and effective manner, contact our team at Somba Ké Family Dental. Our dentists know what whitening treatments will work best for your smile and are happy to assist you. Please contact us to book a consultation today!