When you first notice that your teeth are stained, you might consider brightening them with teeth-whitening. However, you might wonder if you really need professional dental treatment to erase what are seemingly minor stains. Fortunately, professional teeth-whitening is a simpler process than many people realize, which is especially good news considering the fact that over-the-counter (OTC) products are usually insufficient at erasing teeth stains. During your next routine visit, speak with your dentist to find out if you should consider teeth-whitening, and whether or not the treatment can conveniently brighten your smile.
How Teeth-Whitening Works
The outer layer of your teeth, known as tooth enamel, is semi-translucent. The color of your teeth is determined by their main structures, known dentin, underneath the enamel. However, when teeth stains develop, they usually form on your tooth enamel. Teeth-whitening is the process of carefully breaking up and removing them so that your healthy, natural tooth structure can shine through again. This requires a safe but potent whitening solution, which can only be provided by your dentist after a thorough dental examination.
Why Professional Treatment Is Best
Healthy tooth enamel is the most resilient substance in your body, but under the right circumstances, it can become weak and irreversibly damaged. For instance, if you expose your teeth to an OTC whitening substance repeatedly or for too long, it can damage the enamel and underlying tooth structure. Because such products usually don’t produce satisfying results, patients are more likely to overuse them. With professional treatment, we can provide a custom-designed take-home kit that allows you to apply professional-strength whitening gel safely from the comfort of home. Your treatment will be designed to ensure optimal whitening results without causing any harm to your teeth.
Ask Us if You Should Consider Teeth-Whitening
Teeth-whitening is a simpler solution than many people think, and can offer a quick and convenient solution to erasing embarrassing teeth stains. To learn more, schedule a consultation with us by calling Allen Family Dental in Allen, TX, today at (469) 342-6644.