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Oakland Teeth Whitening: A Way to Enliven Discolored Teeth
As we grow older, stains build up on our teeth that cause discoloration, i.e., yellowish or grayish colored teeth. Ordinarily, these are caused by food, beverages, tobacco, medicines, and the natural aging process. Food, like chocolate, leave colored residues and stains on our teeth. Dark-colored beverages like coffee, tea, dark soda and red wine leave stains on our teeth that slowly build up and permanently discolor the teeth over time. Tobacco and cigarettes also leave residues on our teeth resulting to yellowish teeth. Tooth brushing alone cannot bring back our teeth to the same whiteness and brightness as it used to be when we were young. One cosmetic solution is teeth whitening which removes the discoloration, lightens up teeth color resulting to a more beautiful and confident smile.
While in most cases, amazing results have been achieved with this new technology, tooth whitening is not for everyone. Effectiveness of the procedure depends on several factors and varies from person to person. Before going through it, one is advised to consult a dentist to determine whether tooth whitening will work. The cause of the discoloration and the state of health of your gums and teeth need to be assessed. For example, teeth whitening cannot whiten teeth discolored by metallic or dark colored fillings, or teeth that are darkened due to internal nerve damage. When undergoing the tooth whitening procedure, tooth sensitivity may occur and the intensity would vary from one person to another. The final result also depends on the tooth’s response to the whitening agents, which is not the same for everyone.
While there are teeth whitening products that you can administer yourself at home, still the more effective, although more expensive, method is one that is done by your dentist. It is usually a one-time procedure and you have the expertise of a professional at your disposal, thus less room for mistakes. On the other hand, there are over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed whitening kits that you could use as well. In Oakland, you can find dentists who can help you on your teeth whitening concerns. Before, during and after the procedure, your dentist could give you excellent advice on what to do.