Your dentist is your ally when it comes to protecting your smile’s health, and keeping its appearance in top form. With cosmetic dental work, you can take care of misshapen or otherwise unsightly teeth, and show off the whitest possible smile. What you might not know is that you have different options when it comes to tooth color. A cosmetic whitening treatment can offer terrific results, but this may not be the best path for you. Your dentist can help connect you with the best way to make positive changes to the color of your smile.
Protecting Your Teeth From Enamel Stains
One way to enjoy a healthy, attractive smile is to avoid letting stains form on your teeth. When you eat and drink, particles left behind by color-rich items can start to remain on your enamel. A buildup of these particles can make your teeth appear dull. You can also stain your teeth by using tobacco products. Routine teeth cleanings can stop the formation of some stains, but you may need to do more than just address the surface of your teeth. Professional whitening treatments use bleaching agents that can eradicate those stains that sit below the surface of your enamel.
When Whitening Treatments Fall Short Of Expectations
Some patients will need an alternative cosmetic treatment to improve their teeth color. This is because intrinsic forms of discoloration are too deep-set even for professional treatment. Intrinsic discoloration can be a consequence of damage to a tooth, or as a side effect of certain medications. You can have porcelain veneers placed on those teeth, in order to cover up the discoloration whitening does not effectively eliminate.
