San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
A bright white smile depicts the presence of good oral health. Smiling with dingy or stained teeth could cause embarrassment in social situations and reduce your self-esteem. So much so that you may ponder if you should continue your undying dedication to coffee and tea. The good news is that your friendly cosmetic dentists in San Francisco at Glen Park Dental share how to get rid of coffee and tea stains on your teeth so that you can smile confidently.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is an incredibly popular cosmetic treatment to brighten dingy or stained teeth. According to our Bay Area cosmetic dentists, teeth whitening can brighten your smile up to eight shades in one dental visit. The whitening process uses professional-grade bleaching agents that brighten the enamel layer or surface of your teeth to make stains disappear.
How do coffee and tea affect my smile?
Two of the leading causes of a discolored smile are coffee and tea. Regular coffee and tea consumption stain the outer layer of your teeth, especially in the front of your mouth, as it gets inundated when you drink the beverage. Over time, consuming multiple cups per day, the dark color from coffee and tea enters the pores in your tooth enamel, causing it to discolor.
How effective is teeth whitening against coffee and tea stains?
Since your family cosmetic dentists in San Francisco use professional-grade ingredients for whitening treatments, the process is incredibly effective at removing coffee and tea stains. However, if the stains are severe or below the tooth enamel layer, it may take more than one treatment to reach your desired brightness.
After the treatment, can my teeth become stained again?
In short, yes. Your teeth can show signs of stains with continued exposure to foods and beverages like coffee and tea. A common misconception is that once the whitening process is complete, your teeth are stain-resistant. However, that is not always the case. With exposure to tooth-staining substances, you will begin to see discoloration over time.
When I begin to see stains, can I get a touch up to maintain a bright smile?
When you notice the dingy color appearing, you can schedule another whitening treatment to brighten your smile.
How can I prolong my teeth whitening results?
Your San Francisco cosmetic dentists at Glen Park Dental recommend a few ways to lengthen your teeth whitening results. Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once daily is a general requirement for good oral health. However, when you consume teeth-staining substances, it is best to brush and floss after every meal. If you choose to drink iced coffee or iced tea, do so through a straw, limiting exposure to your teeth.
Can I buy the whitening kit at the nearest retailer and get the same results?
Unfortunately, your results will be different than a professional-grade whitening treatment if you choose to purchase an over the counter product. The mass-produced whitening compound does not include the same strength of bleaching agents that pharmaceutical grade treatments include. Therefore, your cosmetic dentist in Marin at Glen Park Dental warns that quality results may take more time, and they may not be as dramatic as you wish. Also, over-the-counter whitening treatments may be ingested if not applied correctly.
Teeth Whitening in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Smiling with a bright smile can help you exude confidence. However, it can be difficult to stop drinking your favorite coffee and tea throughout the day. That is why your Oakland cosmetic dentists at Glen Park Dental offers teeth whitening services. If you are unhappy with your discolored smile or are curious about teeth whitening, feel free to contact our office by calling (415) 585-1500 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.