By Aiden ArmstrongSmiling is a natural impulse for all human beings but, if you have stained or discolored teeth, you might find that you either resist smiling or even cover your mouth with your hand if you do. With the cosmetic dental procedures that are available, it no longer makes sense to hide your smile because you’re embarrassed about your teeth, as solutions are readily available and for very reasonable prices. It’s also a natural part of aging that teeth dull and discolor over time – made worse if you are an avid coffee drinker or a heavy smoker – and, once again, having your teeth whitened can immediately take years off your appearance.
How to go about having teeth whitening in Chicago
First off, although whitening is fairly quick and easy, it isn’t something that lasts forever. If you want bright, white teeth, you’ll need to have the procedure repeated from time to time. Looking at the mechanics of the process, you’ll need to understand the composition of your teeth. All teeth are covered by a layer of enamel and it is the way the light reflects off this, as well as the dentin underneath the enamel, that gives your teeth their current color. You will know, from dental hygiene, that a thin coating forms on the enamel throughout the day, and this is the layer that attracts discoloration and stains. Apart from coffee, red wine or colas also create staining, so every day your teeth are exposed to darkening or yellowing.
The process of whitening teeth is done very easily in the dentist’s chair, although there are also kits available that people use at home. Most dentists insist that you have a thorough dental cleaning of your teeth before they are whitened. It might also be worth discussing your personal habits to uncover why your teeth are stained, as changing these habits will reduce the number of times you have to repeat the whitening procedure.
The whitening procedure
This usually involves a tray of whitening gel that fits over your teeth, and it is sometimes combined with a specialized or laser light. If you are using the home kits, you will probably have to apply the gel daily for several weeks. Professional assistance is very important, though, as over-whitening not only looks silly, but it can also damage both your mouth and teeth. Like with most procedures, there are different methods with different results, and only a consultation with a dentist will allow you to understand all the various options and choose the best one for you. Contact Sweet Tooth Dentistry at http://www.sweettoothdentist.com.
