Teeth Whitening

Teeth can turn yellow for several reasons, often due to a combination of external and internal factors:

1. Diet and Beverages: Consuming foods and drinks that are high in pigments, such as coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, and certain sauces, can stain the enamel (the outer layer of your teeth) over time.

2. Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth, which can cause discoloration.

3. Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco can lead to yellowing of the teeth due to the nicotine and tar, which are highly staining substances.

4. Aging: As we age, the enamel on our teeth naturally wears down, revealing the dentin, a yellowish layer beneath the enamel. This can cause the teeth to appear more yellow or discolored.

5. Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to have thicker or more porous enamel, which can affect the color of their teeth and make them more prone to staining.

6. Certain Medications: Some medications, such as tetracycline and doxycycline, can cause tooth discoloration in children whose teeth are still developing. Other medications, like antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure drugs, may also cause staining.

7. Fluorosis: Excessive fluoride intake during tooth development can lead to fluorosis, which can cause white spots or streaks on the teeth that can turn yellow over time.

8. Tooth Trauma: An injury to a tooth can cause it to become discolored, particularly if the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth) is damaged.

9. Dental Restorations and Fillings: Certain materials used in dental restorations, such as amalgam, can cause teeth to discolor over time.

Yes. Whitening your teeth is a safe process when you follow product guidelines and instructions. The dental team at Relax Dental offers Philips Zoom whitening treatments for safe, satisfying results at home and sodium peroxide treatments in the office.

Your teeth appear whiter after just one in-office treatment. Using take-home teeth-whitening kits is a more gradual process.

No matter which course of treatment you choose, the Zoom whitening solution is entirely safe to place on your teeth and in your mouth. You can experience minor, temporary gum and tooth sensitivity as a result of the bleaching agents.

Zoom in-office teeth whitening is simple, and can whiten your teeth up to eight shades in just one visit.* During your appointment, one of the experienced dentists at Relax Dental fits upper and lower dental trays into your mouth. These trays contain a hydrogen-peroxide whitening gel.

Then, your dental professional covers your lips and gums to shield them from the solution. The trays are filled with the whitening gel, and your dentist positions a special LED lamp over your teeth. You’ll then:

• Sit back and relax, as the bleach and light combine to whiten your teeth
• Complete three 15-minute treatments, all happening during a single appointment
• Wait comfortably between treatments until your final bleaching treatment is done
• Receive a gel applied your teeth to minimize post-treatment sensitivity

That’s it. You’ll have whiter teeth and a gorgeous smile in about two hours.

Relax Dental team members offer a take-home teeth-whitening kit for a less immediate approach to whitening teeth over the course of several weeks.

Call or schedule a consultation at Relax Dental to learn more about Zoom in-office and at-home teeth-whitening treatments. Give yourself a smile you’re proud to wear!

*Individual results can vary.