Improve Teeth Discoloration
Teeth discoloration can be caused by many factors, including dental hygiene, diet, medication use, and medical conditions. Teeth discoloration is a concern for almost everyone, but teeth discoloration can be improved with a variety of whitening techniques. Depending on how teeth discoloration has occurred, some whitening strategies may be more effective than others. (1)How Whitening Products Treat Teeth Discoloration
Whitening products improve teeth discoloration in one of two ways:- Physical: Whitening toothpastes contain silica particles. These particles help improve teeth discoloration by polishing the tooth enamel. But physical stain removal may not be enough if you have more severe teeth discoloration. Whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach, and they only improve teeth discoloration by about one shade of whiteness. (2), (3)
- Chemical: Chemical products such as whitening strips provide a more dramatic improvement in teeth discoloration. These products contain varying amounts of whitening agents. The whitening agent oxidizes the molecules in the stains to improve teeth discoloration. When using chemical teeth whitening, the degree and duration of teeth whitening depends in part on the strength of the bleaching agent. Most over-the-counter whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide in a range of concentrations (2), (3)
How To Prevent Recurring Teeth Discoloration
To prevent a recurrence of teeth discoloration, be sure to follow a regular oral care routine of toothbrushing and flossing. Need another reason to floss? Remember that flossing in particular helps prevent teeth discoloration by reducing the formation of stain-causing plaque on the teeth. (4)Sources:
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/slideshow-10-secrets-to-whiter-teeth
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-whitening
- Crest info, couldn’t find citation at the end for this (Dr. Segal?)
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/basic-dental-care-overview
