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What causes teeth to change color?

Teeth change color for various reasons, but the most common culprit is the process of getting older. As you age, your tooth enamel wears down, making the yellow dentin underneath more noticeable.

Other things that may change the color of your teeth include:

• Using tobacco
• Drinking beverages with tannins like red wine, cola, or black tea
• Taking a medication with tetracycline
• Oral trauma
• Poor oral hygiene

You’re also more likely to develop yellow or brown teeth if you eat foods that stain, like berries or tomato-based dishes such as sauces or curries.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry technique that uses lasers or medical-grade bleaching solutions to brighten your teeth. The procedure often occurs in-office and typically takes less than an hour. There’s no downtime or recovery period, so you can return to work or other normal activities right away.

What are the types of teeth whitening?

Davis Smile Center offers the following teeth whitening options:

Laser teeth whitening

Before laser teeth whitening, Dr. Afkham covers your gums and tongue with a protective dam. Then, he carefully applies a whitening solution to your teeth and lets it sit for several minutes. 

When the solution is ready, Dr. Afkham points a handheld laser device at your teeth. The device emits targeted light energy that heats up the gel, breaking down stains and brightening your teeth. 

Philips Zoom teeth whitening

Philips Zoom teeth whitening is very similar to laser whitening. The only difference is that it uses Philips’ proprietary whitening gel and a special blue light that’s not a laser. Zoom is unique in that it can make your smile between 8-10* shades whiter in a single treatment session.

Take-home whitening trays

If you don’t have time for an in-office whitening appointment, consider take-home trays. Each kit contains two custom mouthpieces and a bottle of bleaching solution. You line the mouthpieces with the bleaching solution and wear them three to four hours a day, whenever is most convenient. Over time, the solution cuts through stains, erasing years of discoloration.

Do the results of teeth whitening last forever?

The results of teeth whitening won’t last forever, but they do last for four to six months on average and sometimes longer. To ensure your teeth remain bright and shiny, Dr. Afkham recommends brushing and flossing daily and visiting the office two times a year for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.

To make a teeth whitening appointment at Davis Smile Center, call the office to speak with a team member or use the online booking tool today.