Ghostly White Teeth Just In Time For Halloween

Oct 01, 2017

Were you recently scared silly by the color of your teeth?

Chances are, you want a smile that others will notice, but for the right reasons. Your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you, so why not give them something great to look at?

If you’re unhappy with your discolored, stained teeth, you’re not alone. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Doug Forbes and the staff at Total Dental Care of South Carolina want to help give you a whiter, brighter, more confident smile.

Yellow Teeth & Tooth Discoloration Causes

There are a lot of factors that contribute to the discoloration of teeth. The most common causes of tooth discoloration include:

  • Food and drink
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Medications
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Disease
  • Aging
  • Genetics
  • Environment
  • Trauma

It’s probably not too surprising to hear that coffee and red wine stain teeth but foods like apples and potatoes can cause discoloration as well. Additionally, the antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline can cause teeth discoloration when given to kids when their teeth are still developing.

As you get older, the enamel on your teeth can wear down, showing more dentin which is naturally yellow. Genetics can also affect the color of your teeth, giving some people naturally thicker or brighter enamel.

Teeth Whitening Options

At Total Dental Care of South Carolina, we offer a couple different teeth whitening methods for our patients who want to brighten their smile.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

With the Zoom! teeth whitening system, you can see results in just about an hour.

Before the procedure, we will check to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough for teeth whitening. If necessary, we will treat gum disease or tooth decay first. Then, we’ll clean your teeth and use a gel to cover and protect your gums.

To whiten your teeth, we use a concentrated peroxide solution and a special light to enhance the whitening process. The solution is applied to your teeth, then they’re exposed to the Zoom! lamp for three 15-minute sessions. We’ll then apply fluoride after the treatment to minimize sensitivity.

This technique is effective, safe, and long-lasting. We typically recommend Zoom! for discoloration caused by tobacco smoking, aging, staining food and drinks, and excessive fluoride.

Opalescence Take-Home Whitening

If you prefer a teeth whitening method you can use in the comfort of your own home, we also offer Opalescence take-home whitening. This teeth whitening system can give you professional-looking results after just 30 minutes a day. You can also use the system at night for great results, as long as you follow the instructions.

The Opalescence system comes in different flavors and concentrations to make the experience easier for you.

DIY At-Home Whitening Kits

At-home do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits seem like a convenient way to get a brighter smile. The unfortunate reality is that you’re more likely to get what you pay for. While they may remove surface stains, at-home teeth whitening kits aren’t able to deliver the same results as the systems we offer in our office. There’s also a risk of uneven bleaching and damage to your gums and mouth.

If you’re looking for real results, stick with us!

How To Prevent Teeth Discoloration

To prevent teeth discoloration or to keep your teeth white after a treatment, we suggest cutting back on factors that contribute to discoloration, such as stain-causing foods and drinks. It’s also important to maintain proper dental hygiene and keep up with regular visits to your dentist.

You don’t have to live with yellow or stained teeth. We encourage you to take advantage of the teeth whitening options that are available for you.

Teeth Whitening In Columbia, SC

Don’t wait any longer to treat yourself to a smile you’ll be proud to show off. We can deliver dramatic results in as little as one appointment. Call (803) 272-4162 to make an appointment with the experienced staff at Total Dental Care of South Carolina. You can also fill out our online form to request an appointment.

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