Professional teeth whitening is the best way to counter yellow and stained teeth. While this is the most easy and effective dental treatment, let’s explore how often you should get one!
Avoidable and Unavoidable Causes of Stained Teeth
Stained teeth is a very common dental issue. Several reasons can add up to this cause such as:
Avoidable causes include:
- Foods and drinks like coffee, tea, berries, red wine, and soy sauce can stain your teeth over time.
- Smoking and tobacco use increases the risk of teeth discoloration.
- Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup causing stains if teeth are not cleaned regularly.
- Too much fluoride during childhood can lead to white spots on teeth (fluorosis).
Unavoidable causes include:
- Tooth color and brightness naturally vary from person to person.
- Trauma from accidents or sports can cause teeth to change color.
- As enamel wears down with age, the yellowish dentin underneath becomes more visible.
- Metal fillings and root canals can cause teeth to appear grayish.
- Diseases like liver problems, celiac disease, and calcium deficiencies can lead to discoloration.
- Some drugs, like antihistamines or antibiotics taken during childhood, can discolor teeth.
- Chemotherapy and radiation can also affect tooth color.
How Is Professional Teeth Whitening Better?
In-office whitening is a good choice for most people with mild to moderate stains or discoloration on their teeth. Dentists usually suggest getting teeth whitened professionally rather than using at-home kits because it’s safer and the results will last longer.
The dentist can make sure the whitening is done safely, giving better results than what you can get from store-bought kits.
How Often Do Dentists Recommend Teeth Whitening?
Dentists recommend professional teeth whitening once every year to 18 months, depending on how long the results last.
Regardless of the rule of thumb, it is best to consult your dentist. They will assess the current condition of your oral health to guide this decision better.
It’s important not to whiten your teeth more often than your dentist suggests, as this can harm your enamel and irritate your gums.
How To Prevent Teeth Discoloration?
If you are concerned on how to avoid teeth discoloration, here are some effective ways to reduce this risk, including:
- Brushing your teeth with a soft bristled brush, at least twice a day.
- Use dentist approved fluoride toothpaste.
- Avoid or limit foods that are causing stains on your teeth like tea, coffee, wine.
- Drinking lots of water can avoid tooth discoloration.
- Floss our teeth every once a day.
When To See A Dentist?
You don’t always need to visit a dentist if your teeth are just discolored.
However, if the discoloration makes you feel uncomfortable, cosmetic treatments can help improve their appearance.
It’s important to call your dentist right away if you also have other symptoms accompanying teeth discoloration like tooth pain, bad breath, bleeding gums, or holes in your teeth. These signs could point to more serious problems, and early treatment can prevent bigger dental issues later.
Final Words
Professional teeth whitening is a quick, easy and effective way to reverse the effect of stains and discoloration. However, you should not get it done frequently as it can affect your tooth enamel. Dentists recommend a gap of at least a year to eighteen months in between every consultation.
If you are seeking a teeth whitening treatment, experts at Spring Cypress Dental can help. For further information, call us at (281) 256-3222.