More News and Information on Teeth Whitening
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Factors Affect the Colour of Your Teeth
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Some people are born with teeth that are more yellow than others. Others have
teeth that yellow with age. Your natural tooth colour can also be affected by many
factors. Surface stains (called extrinsic stains by dentists) and discolouration
can be caused by:
Tobacco (whether smoked or chewed)
Drinking coffee, tea, or red wine
Eating highly pigmented foods such as cherries and blueberries
Accumulation of tartar deposits, which result from plaque that has hardened Internal
Stains (called intrinsic stains by dentists) can be caused by:
Treatment with the antibiotic tetracycline during the time when teeth are forming
Yellowing or greying of the teeth as part of the aging process
Trauma to the teeth that may result in the death of the tooth's nerve, giving
the tooth a brown, grey or black colour
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Post Whitening |
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Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
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Thorough cleanings by a dental professional will remove most external staining caused by food
and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove these
surface stains between dental visits. If stains have been present for years, you
may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn
external stains. Internal stains can be bleached, bonded or capped (crowned). While
each of these methods is safe and effective, your dentist will recommend which treatment
is appropriate for you depending on the state of your teeth and the results that
you wish to achieve.
Your dentist will consider:
The degree and type of staining
How much of the tooth structure is remaining
(Is the tooth heavily filled? Are changes to the shape of the teeth needed or desired?)
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Know About Teeth Bonding!
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Teeth
Bonding uses composite resins or porcelain/composite veneers to cover the surface
of stained teeth and give a nice, even appearance to broken or misshapen teeth.
There are two basic bonding techniques:
Composite bonding First, the front of
the tooth is slightly reduced to prevent the "new" tooth from being too bulky. Microscopic
grooves are then etched into the tooth surface with a mild acid. A composite resin
matched to the colour of the surrounding teeth is applied to the tooth, contoured
into shape, set using a curing light, and finally smoothed and polished.
Veneer
bonding A veneer is made to match the colour and shape of your tooth. Porcelain
veneers are generally stronger, while composite veneers are less expensive. With
porcelain veneers, the dentist takes an impression of the tooth and sends it to
the dental lab for fabrication of the veneer, usually after the front of the tooth
has been reduced. With either method, the tooth is prepared for bonding by roughening
the front surface with mild etching solution. The veneer can then be bonded to your
tooth using dental bonding cement. While more expensive, a porcelain veneer offers
a better colour match to your surrounding teeth and typically lasts for five to
ten years.
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Why should You Whiten Your Teeth?
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Maybe you've always wanted a beautiful white smile. Or your teeth have yellowed
over time. Or you're not happy with the staining that may result from drinking coffee,
tea, or cola. Whatever your reason for wanting whiter teeth, you're not alone. Just
as we all have different hair and skin colour, people also have different tooth
colour. Some teeth are more yellow than others, while others may yellow with aging.
Surface stains and internal discoloration can be caused by:
The natural aging process
Using tobacco (smoked or chewed), drinking coffee, tea or red wine.
Accumulation of plaque and tartar deposits
Treatment with the antibiotic tetracycline during childhood
Trauma to the teeth that may cause a brown, grey or black colour There are many
reasons for whitening your teeth, including:
The boost to your confidence and self-esteem that comes from a great smile A
younger appearance
A special event such as a wedding, job interview or class reunion
To make a positive first impression on others
To simply reverse years of everyday staining and yellowing Before beginning any
whitening procedure, be sure to consult with your dentist. Only he or she can evaluate
whether you're a suitable candidate for a particular treatment. cc |
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