How to Prevent Tooth Loss as You Age
You can’t stop the aging process, but you can take steps to prevent tooth loss. Here’s what you need to know about how aging affects your teeth — and how you can help keep them healthy.
Professional Teeth Whitening: What You Need To Know
Teeth whitening is becoming more popular as the years go by. The truth is, that more and more people want to have whiter teeth. A bright smile is a symbol of confidence and beauty, among other valuable attributes. It’s something that the majority of people strive for. If you are considering teeth whitening near you, in this article you will find all the information you need.
Why do teeth become stained?
There are many reasons why teeth can become discolored. One reason that can’t be prevented, is growing older. As we age, the enamel, which is the external layer of your teeth, gradually wears off. As this happens, the underlying yellow tissue called dentin is exposed and this alters the color of your teeth.
Teeth can also become stained from certain foods and beverages. Some of the most common staining foods and beverages are red wine, coffee, sodas, tomato-based sauces, and soy sauce. These introduce pigments into your enamel that are difficult to eliminate and that discolor your teeth.
How can you prevent tooth discoloration?
There are two easy ways to prevent this from happening. The first one is to have excellent oral health habits. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily and having regular checkups with a dentist in Encino can keep your teeth from becoming stained to a certain extent. However, if you want to make a significant difference, then avoid all staining foods and beverages. If you eventually consume one of these beverages at some point, then it is a good idea to use a straw to keep the beverage from coming into contact with your front teeth, since these stains are the most noticeable.
Is professional teeth whitening worth it?
If your teeth are already stained, then it’s a good idea to consider teeth whitening in Encino. During this procedure, your dentist will apply a high-concentration bleaching gel on your teeth which interacts with the enamel to break apart any discolored molecules. After this procedure, your teeth will end up becoming three to eight shades lighter.
Generally, this procedure costs between $650 and $1000. These prices are considerably higher than other options found on the market, but they provide much faster and more dramatic results than any other technique. Therefore, if what you are looking for is a drastic change in the color of your teeth, you should visit a dental office in Encino.
What other teeth whitening options are on the market?
Nowadays, the market is saturated with teeth whitening products. The most popular ones are products you can use in the comfort of your own home. They contain a bleaching gel with the same ingredients as the ones used by dentists, but the concentrations of these chemicals are significantly lower for safety reasons. Therefore, the whitening potential of the gel is not that impressive and may induce very slight changes in the color of your teeth.
Are there any side effects?
If you are looking into Encino teeth whitening, you should learn about the side effects associated with this procedure. The most common one is an increase in tooth sensitivity. This happens because the bleaching gel opens up the pores in your teeth. Therefore, your nerves are much more exposed to the external world and can be stimulated by slight temperature changes. This can be a bit bothersome, but it fades after a couple of days. Another side effect is experiencing some irritation to your gums when they come in contact with the bleaching gel. However, your dentist will apply a protective gel to prevent this from happening. For more information on professional teeth whitening, speak with a dentist near you.
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