The amount that teeth change colour can depend vastly on a number of factors, such as age and use, with particularly damaging contributing factors being smoking and the consumption of specific drinks and food.
The effects of skin tone
One of the elements not often considered, is that the colour of our teeth can be perceived differently due to our skin tone or make-up, meaning that those who have a darker complexion will appear to have whiter teeth. As a result, comparing the whiteness of teeth to others is not a good measurement, as there are a number of different elements that need to be taken into consideration.
The one point to take note of though, is that teeth are not naturally completely white, though many consumers seek this as an ideal.
So, what are your options if you wish to have a whiter, brighter smile?
It is strongly worth pointing out at this stage, that any processes performed on your teeth should be discussed fully with your dentists in New Westminster, to ensure that safe, effective options are chosen.
Surface whiteners
There are two options when it comes to teeth whitening, which are either to utilize a bleaching technique, or to use surface whiteners.
Surface whiteners are often found as chewing gum, or toothpaste products and contain abrasives to help remove surface stains from your teeth. This can be a gradual way of achieving whiter teeth, though the effectiveness of this method is often limited.
Dentists in New Westminster and other areas will be able to advise you of surface whiteners that they recommend and whether this course of action is right for your situation.
Bleaching
Again, it is advised to speak with your local dentists in New Westminster and other areas before going ahead with a bleaching procedure, as it can have profound and lasting effects.
Bleaching uses a peroxide-based product to alter the tooth colour itself, as opposed to removing the stains with surface cleaning. It is worth noting that there is not always a guaranteed result with bleaching, as differing reasons for tooth discolouration respond in different ways, depending on the method of bleaching and the individual condition of the teeth. This is another reason that discussing your options with your local dentists in New Westminster is highly recommended.
The first of the two main areas of bleaching is vital bleaching, which is performed on teeth discoloured due to smoking, food, or age. The other is non-vital bleaching, which is performed on teeth that are no longer deemed to be active, such as those that have undergone root canal treatment.
Dentists in New Westminster will advise which particular bleaching technique will work best for your teeth, making them essential for guidance and advice in the process.
While home-use teeth bleaching products are also available, they should only be used after a consultation with your dentist, as they may have the potency to cause problems if not used correctly.
