How can I keep my teeth white?
The best way is to brush your teeth carefully twice a day, to floss daily and to see your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Limit stain-causing foods and habits. These include tobacco, certain foods and beverages (such as coffee, tea, red wine and berries), some drugs (such as tetracycline) or trauma to the tooth. It is normal for teeth to become slightly darker with age, and some people's teeth are naturally darker than others.
Can the dentist make my teeth whiter?
Yes. In the dental
office,
chairside whitening takes 30 to 50 minutes and one to three visits. A
shield
(made of rubber) protects your gums from the whitening agent (a form
of hydrogen
peroxide) which is "painted" onto the discoloured teeth. Mouthguard
whitening is done by yourself at home. You wear a custom-made
mouthguard with
special whitening gel provided by your dentist for a period of time
each day
or overnight over a number of weeks.
Individual
response to whitening
varies from person to person. The amount of whitening depends on the
number
of teeth involved and the severity and type of discolouration.
Over-the-counter
at-home whiteners are not recommended because they may cause problems
associated
with over-exposing the gum tissue to the active whitening agent. It is
also
important for your dentist to first diagnose the reason for the
discolouration
of your teeth. Any whitening treatment should be done under the
supervision
of a dentist.