Teeth Whitening Specialist

Teeth Whitening Q & A

What causes teeth to stain?

Enamel is the surface layer of your tooth that can become stained over time, creating the appearance of discolored teeth. It is defined as the hardest mineral substance in your body and is even harder than your bones. However, your enamel is porous and stains easily.

Causes of enamel stains include:

Use of tobacco products
Wine
Coffee
Tea
Acidic fruits and vegetables
Inadequate flossing and brushing

The stains occur when tiny particles attach themselves to the outermost layer of enamel on your teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

During a teeth whitening procedure, the team at Smile Country Dental targets the porous enamel layer of your teeth. This is the layer that causes the appearance of a discolored smile. The layer of enamel is bleached, leaving a visibly brighter enamel layer and overall smile.

Am I eligible for teeth whitening?

Prior to performing a teeth whitening procedure, the team at Smile Country Dental assesses you to determine if you are eligible. You may not be eligible for the procedure if:

You have tooth or gum hypersensitivity
You have intractable stains that are too deep for the procedure to be effective
Your teeth have become too thin and transparent with age

If eligible, the team will perform an oral examination to ensure that you have no existing cavities. If cavities are found, they must be addressed before your teeth are whitened.

Addressing existing cavities is important. If the bleach solution gets into a cavity, it causes decay to reach the inner layer of your tooth.