Achieving a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening Techniques

A growing number of people are interested in exploring teeth whitening techniques, and for good reason. After all, the first thing most people notice when they meet a person is his or her smile, and tarnished teeth can certainly leave a bad impression. Before exploring teeth whitening techniques, however, it is a good idea to understand what can cause tooth discoloration to occur.

Extrinsic Stains

Discoloration that occurs on the surface of the teeth is referred to as extrinsic staining. Extrinsic stains can occur in a number of different ways. Some of these include:

" Drinking dark-colored beverages " Eating certain types of foods " Smoking or chewing tobacco " Routine wear and tear

Many foods and drinks can lead to discoloration in the teeth, but some of the most common foods and drinks include coffee, cola, red wine, oranges, carrots, and any other food that is deeply-colored.

These types of stains are generally considered to be minor and can often be removed with simple brushing or by using prophylactic dental cleaning techniques. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to purchase a teeth whitening stain in order to remove these types of stains. This is particularly true if the staining has been in place for quite some time or if the staining has penetrated into the dentin.

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains are those stains that form within the teeth. These types of stains can result in a number of ways, including:

" Aging " Trauma " Exposure to certain minerals while the teeth are forming " Excessive use of fluoride

Aging is one of the major causes of intrinsic stains because the teeth darken from wear and tear as well as from the long term accumulation of stains. Therefore, a teenager is more likely to experience more immediate results from teeth whitening than someone in his or her twenties or older. By the time a person reaches his or her forties, the yellow stains that develop while younger may become brown and will be far more difficult to remove.

Experts once believed that intrinsic stains could not be removed with teeth whitening techniques, but breakthroughs in techniques have made it possible to get rid of these stains as well. Generally removing these types of stains require implementing sustained teeth whitening techniques over a period of several months and possibly up to a year.

Of course, a person's starting tooth color is also a factor in determining how easily the teeth can be whitened. Everyone has a natural tooth color that can be a yellow-brownish color or even a greenish-grey color. Over time, these colors will become more intense. Still, with teeth whitening techniques, it is possible to remove these natural colors as well.

Whether tooth stains are intrinsic or extrinsic, it is possible to make the teeth look brighter and whiter with teeth whitening techniques.

About The Author Ralph King has been contributing to leading magazines for the past 10 years. Hes also an accredited researcher on the subject for leading research institutes in the US.