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Tell Me More About Teeth Whitening

Your smile is often the first thing people see when they meet you.  A whiter, brighter smile can make a memorable impression and help you feel confident and better about yourself. 

Teeth can become discolored due to lifestyle and natural aging. Teeth whitening can restore the natural luster and beauty of your smile. 

Here are six helpful insights into how teeth whitening works:

• The darkening and discoloration are due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth as the enamel becomes less porous.  The most common causes of tooth discoloration are aging, smoking, and substances such as tea, coffee, tobacco, cola, and red wine.  Consuming tetracycline, certain antibiotics, or excessive fluoride during tooth formation can also cause tooth discoloration.
   
• Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are oxidizing agents that oxidize the stain deposits to lighten the tooth color.  Once in the mouth, carbamide peroxide breaks down to form hydrogen peroxide. If these substances are applied over a period of time the dentin layer, under the tooth enamel, will also be bleached for whiter teeth.
   
• Not all your teeth are the same natural color.  Your eye teeth are darkest, your front teeth are whitest, and molars are shades in between.  Using teeth whitening systems can help all your teeth become a natural white for your best smile.
     
• Teeth whitening only affects natural or real teeth.  It does not work on dentures, caps, fillings, and other restorative materials.  Composite materials such as cements and dental amalgams can be slightly affected by the whitening.
    
• For at-home teeth whitening methods, custom fitted whitening trays give the best results.
      
• Teeth whitening is not recommended for children under age 16.  Until this age, the nerve of the tooth is enlarged.  Whitening teeth at this age could cause nerve sensitivity.  Teeth whitening is also not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

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