Teeth Whitening Specialist

What causes teeth discoloration?

Despite what you may see in magazines and online, no one has naturally gleaming white teeth. Rather, it’s normal to experience tooth discoloration. 

The hard outer layer of your teeth, called the enamel, may become discolored for several reasons, including:

Genetics

Some individuals are genetically predisposed to darker teeth.

Aging

All adults experience some amount of tooth yellowing as they age. This happens for two reasons. First, as your enamel gradually wears down from use, the naturally yellow layer beneath it, called the dentin, begins to shine through. The teeth also produce more dentin as you age.

In addition, older adults have simply had more time to accumulate stains and discolorations on their teeth.

Trauma

Tooth trauma in children, such as that inflicted after a fall, can disrupt tooth enamel formation and lead to tooth discoloration. 

Adults who sustain a tooth injury may experience tooth death. The first symptom of tooth death is discoloration ranging from yellowing to blackening of the teeth.

Food and drink

Certain foods and drinks can stain your teeth. Examples of such foods and drinks include red wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and certain fruits and vegetables.

Tobacco use

The nicotine and tar in tobacco stain teeth. 

Poor hygiene

If you don’t observe the good hygiene practices of regular brushing and flossing, you give plaque a foothold to damage your teeth. When you practice poor hygiene, you also let stains from food and drink build up.

Finally, overexposure to fluoride, certain diseases, and some medications can discolor your teeth.

How does teeth whitening work?

If you’re bothered by stained or yellowed teeth, you can transform them by undergoing teeth whitening at Post Oak Dental. The professionals at Post Oak Dental offer a variety of solutions with Zoom!™ Whitening and Opalescence™ tooth whitening systems to meet your needs. These include:

In-office whitening

If you want a relaxing and expedient teeth whitening experience, Zoom! In-office whitening may be right for you. During this treatment, your team first applies a protective gel to your gums. This keeps your soft tissue unbothered and safe. 

Next, they brush a bleaching gel onto your teeth. To enhance the whitening agent’s efficacy, your team then shines a special light on your teeth. 

An in-office treatment typically lasts about an hour. If you want to continue to whiten your teeth at home, or if you’d like to touch up your whitened smile occasionally, the practice makes customized Zoom! Gel take-home trays.

Tray whitening

If you prefer to gradually whiten your teeth at home, Post Oak Dental may offer you Opalescence Go™ take home trays. To ensure you receive the most comfortable and effective whitening experience, Post Oak Dental takes an impression of your teeth so that they can customize your whitening trays.

A few days after they take impressions, your Post Oak Dental team contacts you to pick up your customized at-home tooth whitening kit. 

How long do the results of teeth whitening treatment last?

For the best results for at-home whitening, wear your whitening trays 30 to 60 minutes at a time, twice a day or overnight. Typically, you see full results within two to three weeks.

If you treat your teeth well and avoid staining foods and beverages, your initial results will last between 12 and 24 months. 

Are you ready to get the gleaming smile you’ve always dreamed of? If so, contact Post Oak Dental for a teeth whitening consultation online or over the phone today.