Teeth Whitening Portland, OR
 Maintaining a proper oral hygiene regimen is the best way to keep your smile bright and beautiful. Still, some patients find that their smile is lacking that sparkle they’ve always wanted. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists found that close to 90 percent of patients are interested in whitening their teeth. Teeth whitening is a simple and non-invasive process to enhance the color of your tooth enamel and give you a brighter smile. At Hunter Dental Care, we can explain the different methods of whitening and even perform in-office treatment to give you the best possible results.
Why Your Teeth Change Color
Over time your teeth can drastically change color for some reasons. Some of which include: | • |
Food and Drink. Beverages like tea, coffee, and wine can produce major stains. Each of these beverages contains dense color pigments called chromogens that stick to the white outer part of your tooth enamel.
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Age. Over time, the outer layer of enamel gets thinner from brushing. A yellowish substance known as dentin exists below your enamel and begins to show through. Your teeth appear more yellow as a result.
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Trauma. Your teeth may change color as a reaction to injury. Your body may produce more dentin and darken the layer underneath your enamel.
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Medications. Certain medications like antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antipsychotics can darken your teeth. Children exposed (as a baby or in the womb), to antibiotics as tetracycline and doxycycline may also have discoloration later in life.
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Tobacco Use. Tar and Nicotine, two chemicals found in tobacco create powerful stains. When mixed with oxygen, Nicotine becomes a yellow and potent substance that easily stains surfaces. Tar is naturally dark, and its effects are similar. |
Methods of Teeth Whitening
Before you decide on a method, make sure to consult with Dr. Hunter first.
One of the most common choices is whitening toothpaste. All toothpaste contain mild abrasives that scrub the teeth and help to remove stains. Some toothpaste contains special chemicals or polishing agents that can increase their effectiveness. However, these products cannot change the color of your teeth. They can only help to remove and prevent stains on a surface level.
There are also several products on the market for at-home bleaching. These range from peroxide-containing gels, to bleach whitening strips that stick to your teeth. These products can change the shade of your tooth enamel, although the concentration of bleach is lower than that of a professional whitening treatment.
Professional Whitening
In-office whitening usually requires two visits. During your first visit, we will take impressions of your teeth. These will be used to fabricate a plastic tray that is custom molded to fit your mouth.
During the second visit, we may need to make adjustments to ensure that the trays fit properly. We will then give you a special whitening solution for you to put in each tray. Over the next couple weeks, you can choose to wear the trays twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight. You may experience tooth sensitivity during the whitening process. This will go away when the process is complete.
Contact Us About Teeth Whitening
If you are interested in whitening your teeth, contact us at (503) 622-9730, and schedule an appointment today! |
