Whitening Your Teeth with Dr. Garcia

It’s a fact of life — our teeth yellow. Thankfully, there are simple ways to restore your formerly pearly whites to their unstained glory with teeth whitening!

Why Teeth Yellow

Everyone’s teeth yellow over the years, but there are many causes that could be behind the discoloration:

• Genetics

Some people are genetically predisposed to have a thinner outer tooth layer. The thinner the enamel, the more visible the yellow dentin layer within.

• Age

As we age, the enamel layer wears away and becomes thinner, making the yellow dentin layer more visible.

• Medications

Certain antibiotics given before the age of eight or while pregnant can cause yellow and banded staining on the teeth of children. The antibiotics are incorporated into the mineral structure of still-developing teeth, causing stains. Other discoloration-causing medications include chlorhexidine, antihistamines, anti-hypertensives and antipsychotic drugs.

• Diet

Various food and drinks, such as blueberries, cherries, red wine, dark teas and coffee are known to cause tooth discoloration. Why? The coloring molecules adhere to the enamel of your teeth!

• Tobacco

Many of the elements found in tobacco in cigarettes and chewing tobacco will leave stains on tooth enamel.

• Poor oral hygiene

Without adequate brushing and flossing, plaque and calculus will build up and cause teeth to look yellow.

Certain diseases, infections and trauma can also cause discoloration in teeth.

How Tooth Whitening Works

In the most basic of terms, tooth whitening works by using a bleaching element to get into the tooth enamel. The bleaching element sets off a chemical reaction (an oxidation reaction) that breaks apart the stains set into the enamel and, with some whitening agents, even the dentin.

The Tooth Whitening Process

While there are many drugstore-available tooth whitening systems, dentist-supervised whitening will get your teeth whiter and brighter. Your dentist will work closely with you to get just the shade of white you want.At the dental office of Roderick A. Garcia, DMD, we use the Zoom! Tooth Whitening System. You’ll have an initial consultation with Dr. Garcia to discuss your goals for your smile. Then, the Zoom! whitening process consists of three 15-minute, in-office visits. During your visit, Dr. Garcia will apply the Zoom! whitening gel before using the special Zoom! lamp, which is used to activate the carbamide peroxide contained in the gel.After your in-office visits, you’ll be sent home with an at-home whitening kit to help maintain the brilliant results.The tooth whitening procedure is completely painless, simple and fast! In a matter of weeks, you’ll have your beautiful, bright white teeth back again! For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can contact Dr. Garcia’s office. We’ll help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.

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