Are yellowed, discolored teeth impacting the look of your smile? Do you have a single stained tooth? Try professional teeth whitening in Cadillac, MI, to brighten yellowed, darkened, or discolored teeth effectively. Whether you want to brighten one or all of the teeth in your smile line, we can help.
Unlike store-bought gels, strips, and toothpaste, professional whitening treatments can help you get results that match your cosmetic dental goals. Dr. Sheryl Jenicke offers GLO® teeth whitening treatment at Brilliant Smiles Family Dentistry in Cadillac, MI.
What Causes Tooth Stains?
There are many possible causes of dull, yellow, discolored and stained teeth:
- Foods and Drinks: Some foods and drinks easily dye the outer layer of the teeth, also known as the enamel. Tea, coffee, wine, tomato-based sauces, and berries can stain teeth. These compounds enter the tiny pores in the teeth, creating a yellow or discolored appearance.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth if you do not brush and floss enough. Dental plaque is a sticky bacterial film that can make teeth appear yellow, while tartar is the hardened form of plaque. Bacteria feed on sugars and starches in the mouth. You may be more likely to have discolored teeth with a diet high in sugar.
- Medications: Antihistamines, antipsychotics, antibiotics, and other medications can have tooth discoloration as a side effect. Please let us know if you take any medications with this side effect so we can help address your discoloration.
- Dental Injuries: If you have chipped, cracked, or broken a tooth, you can notice that your tooth has turned a different color. Even if you don’t have a visible injury, hits to the teeth can create discoloration. Injured teeth can discolor because of blood vessel damage in your tooth.
- Fluorosis: This condition occurs when your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In regular doses, fluoride is a healthy compound that promotes strong teeth and can fight cavities and other problems. However, fluorosis occurs when fluoride-containing toothpaste or rinses are swallowed. Fluorosis can create abnormally darkened or stained teeth.
If you are in good oral health but want to change the shade of your teeth, teeth whitening may be right for you. Our office can also provide treatments for deep stains or sensitive teeth customized to your cosmetic goals.
What Are Intrinsic and Extrinsic Tooth Stains?
Tooth stains may be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic stains occur when stains build up within the enamel. These stains often affect the dentin within the tooth. Extrinsic stains appear on the tooth’s surface. These stains are simpler to remove with professional teeth whitening treatment.
We recommend dental veneers and tooth bonding treatment for patients with deep tooth stains. Veneers are shell-like treatments that cover the front teeth. They can treat one or more teeth in the smile line. Dental bonding can cover one or more teeth with tooth-colored resin material but is best for minor injuries and single-stained teeth.
Even a dental crown can cover damaged and stained teeth. A crown acts as a tooth cap that fully covers and protects injured teeth from further damage.
We also color-match veneers, bonding, and crowns to ensure they match other teeth in the smile. These options are beneficial if you only have a single discolored tooth or extreme tooth sensitivity.
GLO Teeth Whitening Treatment in Cadillac, MI
We provide in-office and take-home treatment with GLO teeth whitening. This whitening treatment uses heat and light to activate ingredients like hydrogen peroxide in a whitening gel. The take-home GLO whitening kit includes lip treatment, gel, and a whitening tray. This tray is connected to the whitening device that cures the active ingredients in the gel.
To warm up the device, press the GLO button in the center of the device. This kit also has a string to place the system close to your body.
First, apply the lip treatment to ensure that your lips stay moist. Then, you place the GLO vial whitening gel on the teeth and put the thread around your neck. Once you place the whitening tray over your teeth, you will press the machine button again. This machine releases light and heat to ensure that the active ingredients in the gel penetrate the enamel.
After eight minutes, the machine will beep and blink. We recommend GLO treatment in four eight-minute daily applications for the best results.
Why Don’t Store-Bought Whitening Treatments Work?
While store-bought whitening strips, gels, and toothpaste are convenient, they are ineffective. Over-the-counter whitening treatments do not have enough active ingredients to deliver results. Additionally, if you’re inconsistent with these treatments, you won’t notice a change in your teeth.
Your type of tooth stains may also not react to whitening treatments. Our office can recommend the proper whitening treatment for you based on your goals and type of staining.
How to Keep Teeth White
After your teeth whitening treatment, you need to maintain your bright teeth. Brush and floss daily to prevent surface stains. Floss before you brush your teeth to remove bacteria and food from between your teeth. Then, brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Avoid beverages like coffee, wine, and tea. Using a straw can help prevent these drinks from staining your teeth. Drinking enough water can also help wash away leftover food from the mouth. Some foods have higher water content to help increase your water intake and keep your teeth clean.
Remember to visit our dental office for regular cleanings and exams. We use stainless steel tools during regular cleanings to remove bacterial buildup from the teeth and gums. This buildup can change the color of teeth. After cleaning, you may notice that you have brighter teeth.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
Can I eat normally after teeth whitening?
Yes, you can eat normally after your teeth whitening appointment. However, we recommend you avoid things that can stain your teeth for 48 hours after the process. Teeth whitening works by opening the pores in your teeth and getting the whitening solution in them. These pores stay open for a few days after treatment. Avoid things like red wine and coffee for two days, as that’s when your teeth are most vulnerable to staining.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
This all depends on the individual. Some people have teeth that are genetically more responsive to teeth whitening than others. Patients who frequently smoke or drink things like coffee will see their teeth stain more quickly after whitening. On average, teeth whitening results can last anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
No, the process shouldn’t hurt. It would only be painful if you have an untreated cavity. Many patients experience some sensitivity after treatment, even with professional products that reduce the feeling. This is exacerbated by very hot or cold foods and drinks. The sensitivity should dissipate within a week or two.
How often can I get my teeth whitened?
We recommend not whitening your teeth more often than every six months. If you keep whitening your teeth, sensitivity worsens, making it hard to eat or drink certain things. You also risk your teeth getting so white that they look strange. Teeth that are too white don’t look natural.
Should I get a dental cleaning before or after teeth whitening?
Get a dental cleaning right before the whitening treatment. We recommend scheduling two appointments: one for cleaning and one for whitening back to back. This ensures that there isn’t any plaque or tartar buildup, which can lead to splotchy results.
Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?
Many patients are eligible for teeth whitening treatment. There are restrictions, though. If you have conditions like tooth decay, we must treat them before whitening. The whitening solution can cause intense pain in an existing cavity. We also won’t whiten the teeth of children or teens whose mouths haven’t fully developed yet.
Brighten Your Natural Smile
Lift tooth stains with professional teeth whitening in Cadillac, MI. Call Brilliant Smiles Family Dentistry at 231-389-6388. You can also schedule your next dental appointment with Dr. Jenicke online. Please let us know if you have any questions about teeth whitening treatment. We can help you find the right whitening treatment to meet your needs.