Teeth Darkening Over Time? Teeth Whitening Can Help

If you’ve noticed that your teeth have lost their brilliance and have a darker or yellowed appearance, you’re not alone. Stained teeth are one of the most common cosmetic complaints. Your morning cup of java, foods like curry and berries, and even aging can dull your smile.

Though it’s a common problem, you don’t have to settle for less-than-bright teeth. Professional whitening treatments like Zoom! Whitening® and Laser Smile® can help restore your smile’s radiance, and we have both available at Smile Design Studio of Bethesda.

Read on as our team of dentists explains how teeth whitening can help with stains.

Why are your teeth darker?

Teeth stains can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from your daily habits to natural aging processes. 

Dietary culprits

Common food and drink culprits include dark-colored beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine. These make your teeth darker because they leave behind pigments that penetrate your teeth’s enamel. 

Smoking and chewing tobacco

Smoking or chewing tobacco brings tar and nicotine into your mouth — both of which can cause noticeable discoloration. Smoking can even discolor your tongue. 

Medication

Some medications can discolor your teeth. (In some cases, it can be permanent.) If you think your medication is affecting your teeth, let your prescribing provider know about any side effects. Never stop or change your medication schedule unless instructed to do so.

Aging

Even if you’re a nonsmoker and have an impeccable brushing routine, you still might notice that your teeth are darker than they used to be, and you can blame the natural aging process. 

As you age, your enamel can wear down, and as it does, it reveals dentin. Dentin is the naturally yellow layer under your enamel. 

How teeth whitening can brighten your smile

Understanding the root cause of your teeth stains is the first step toward achieving a whiter, brighter smile. You might improve your brushing routine, rinse your mouth after eating stain-causing foods like berries, and consider smoking cessation. All of these steps can help reduce future stains.

Professional teeth whitening, though, can tackle the stains you currently have. Our team offers two types of whitening — Zoom! teeth whitening and LaserSmile. Both treatments use specially formulated whitening agents to break down the stains on the surface of your teeth.

Because we use professional-strength whitening agents, our in-office treatments are faster and more effective than over-the-counter options.

All about Zoom! teeth whitening

The Zoom! system breaks down tough stains and discoloration on the surface of your teeth. Zoom! uses a special 6% hydrogen peroxide whitening gel combined with the Phillips WhiteSpeed LED light — a combination that is shown to be more effective than just hydrogen peroxide alone.

During your session, we apply the whitening agent to your teeth, and then the LED light activates the gel for 15 minutes. We repeat this four times for a total of four 15-minute sessions.

All whitening treatments can cause some temporary tooth sensitivity, but the Philips Zoom Relief ACP Oral Care Gel can mitigate the intensity of those short-lived side effects.

It’s no surprise that Zoom! whitening is so popular. It offers dramatic results — up to eight shades whiter — in a single session. It’s a safe and comfortable option for those looking to achieve a brighter smile without the hassle of multiple at-home treatments.

All about LaserSmile

While Zoom! treatments use LED lights, LaserSmile uses laser energy. Lasers — concentrated beams of light — warm up and activate the whitening gel. 

We prep your mouth, protect your gums, and give you glasses to wear. We then apply the whitening gel to your teeth and use a diode laser to activate the gel. The activated gel breaks down stains and discoloration. Finally, we rinse out the whitening agent.

Getting started with teeth whitening

Are you ready to say goodbye to stained teeth?  Call 301-907-8201 to book your teeth whitening consultation at our Bethesda, Maryland, office. You can also request your appointment online.

Teeth whitening can be a standalone cosmetic treatment, or you can incorporate it into a more comprehensive smile makeover.