Teeth Whitening

If your teeth have lost some of that sparkle and shine, professional teeth whitening may be able to help. Teeth whitening is among the cosmetic treatment options available from Jarred Donald, DDS, at Cisco Dental in Cisco, Texas. Call the office today to set up a whitening visit, or book online at any time of day or night.

Teeth Whitening Q & A

What causes tooth discoloration?

Many different things can cause changes in the color of your teeth, but the aging process is the most common cause of tooth discoloration. To understand why, it helps to think about the structure of your teeth.

The outermost layer of your teeth is a thin shell of hard tissue called enamel, which is naturally white in color. Just beneath lies another layer of hard tissue called dentin, which is naturally yellow in color. As the years pass, your enamel slowly thins, allowing more of the yellow dentin to shine through.

Additional factors that can cause or contribute to tooth discoloration include:

Foods and beverages that stain, like red wine, berries, coffee, and tea
Certain medical conditions and treatments
Poor dental hygiene
Excessive exposure to fluoride
Traumatic injury

No matter what causes your smile to lose some of its gleam, professional teeth whitening may be able to help restore shine.

How does teeth whitening work?

Professional teeth whitening uses a powerful whitening solution to blast apart stains. When you come in for your visit, Dr. Donald carefully isolates your tongue and other soft tissues. He then applies the whitening solution to the front sides of your teeth.

Some systems use a special treatment light to activate the whitening solution. Others simply require a few moments to break apart stains and reveal a whiter smile. After a period of time, Dr. Donald rinses the solution away, and then your new smile is now ready to share with the world.

There are also professional-strength, tray-based whitening systems that allow you to whiten your teeth at home. This approach may take longer to achieve results but allows you to control the shade of your smile.

What can I do to extend the results of professional teeth whitening?

In-office whitening can boost your smile by multiple shades in just one visit. Once you see how bright and white your smile can be, you’ll want to do everything you can to preserve those results.

Maintaining a solid dental hygiene routine is a great place to begin. Coming in for routine dental exams and professional cleanings can also keep your smile looking its best.

Take care to avoid consuming food and drinks that can stain your teeth. If you enjoy coffee, wine, or tea, using a straw can keep those liquids away from the surface of your teeth. You can also gently rinse your mouth after consuming food and beverages known to stain.

When you’re ready to make the very most of your smile, call Cisco Dental to book a visit. Online scheduling is also available, so make today the day you move closer to a bright, shining smile.