Is It Time for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening? Five Common Questions

Brushing your teeth is probably one of the first things you learned to do by yourself when you were growing up. Still, no matter how diligently we clean our teeth every day, there is a good chance that stains have built up over time. Maybe it’s time to see a cosmetic dentist!

Let’s learn more about tooth staining and whitening.

Where Do Teeth Stains Happen?

Stains initially appear on the surface of tooth enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, even harder than bone! It also has the highest mineral percentage of anything in the body. However, it is a magnet for bacteria, which can lead to staining and tooth decay.

When And Why Do Tooth Stains Happen?

After you eat, whatever food remains in your mouth attracts various bacteria. Due to this bacteria and other factors, a hard biofilm starts to form over your teeth. The film is done forming within about an hour, which is why it’s important to brush after eating.

When you brush the biofilm from your teeth, you inhibit the development of stains on the surface enamel. Over time, though, stains can sink deeper into the enamel than its surface. For example, those who frequently drink coffee or smoke can see these long-term stains.

How Does Plaque Contribute to Stains?

Teeth can also be stained due to the presence of plaque. If the biofilm on teeth is left undisturbed after eating, it will gradually attract additional bacteria that attach to the surface of teeth. Stains from plaque are typically yellow.

What Do I Need To Do Before A Whitening Procedure?

Before any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to eliminate deposits of plaque. In most cases, dental cavities should also be filled. Unless your dentist advises you otherwise, brushing and flossing before the procedure is also recommended.

How Does Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Help With Long-Term Staining?

Ordinary brushing and flossing alone will not resolve deep, long-term stains. At Stony Brook Family Dentistry, our tooth whitening solution of choice is ZOOM!

ZOOM! teeth whitening procedures eliminate concerns about harsh, abrasive whitening gels by using low-intensity light technology to “activate” the whitening gel. With ZOOM!, it’s possible to whiten teeth by up to ten shades in just about an hour.

Cosmetic dentistry is one of our specialties at Stony Brook Family Dentistry. No matter what your needs are, we can help! Call or email today to discover more about our treatment options.