Teeth staining is a common issue that is presented to our dentist Wagga here at Kooringal Dental. There are two types of staining that can affect the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, and by understanding which type of discolouration is affecting your teeth, our dentist Wagga can decide on which treatment is right for you.
Extrinsic staining is the buildup of stain molecules on the surface of your teeth, covering the enamel; this can occur mainly as a result of poor oral hygiene. The buildup of plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth can cause them to have a yellow appearance. Visiting our dentist Wagga regularly and undergoing professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar helps keep your teeth clean and white.
We recommend that you visit our dentist at least once every six months for a comprehensive examination and professional cleaning. Other factors that can result in extrinsic staining are the consumption of food and drinks that are brightly coloured, such as red wine and cola, and the regular consumption of fizzy drinks and sugary snacks. Lifestyle choices such as smoking and chewing tobacco can also impact the colour of your teeth significantly. By avoiding the dentist or waiting many years to consider teeth whitening, extrinsic stains can darken and become more stubborn. However, these stains will still respond to teeth-whitening procedures at our clinic, and the earlier you consider teeth whitening, the easier it is to achieve the desired effect.
Intrinsic stains are internal stains that affect the dentin and give the teeth a yellow appearance. They are caused by age, damage to or thinning of the enamel, injury to the tooth and dental health issues such as tooth decay. Some medications such as tetracycline can also cause intrinsic staining on the teeth. Intrinsic stains cannot be removed by teeth-whitening procedures, but there are other options such as veneers here at Kooringal Dental to help you achieve a beautiful white smile. Dental veneers are designed to cover the entire surface of your teeth so that all staining and other imperfections can be disguised completely.
How does teeth whitening work?
Teeth-whitening products work as bleaching agents and contain the active ingredients hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. It is important that teeth-whitening products are prescribed by our dentist or carried out under the careful supervision of our dentist because improper use can have a detrimental impact on your teeth and surrounding tissues. Teeth-whitening treatments contain between 3% to 40% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, and this is dependent on the procedure that is being carried out.
If you undergo teeth-whitening treatment at our clinic, then this would involve hydrogen peroxide being used at a high concentration of approximately 25% to 40%. Our dentist here at Kooringal Dental is highly experienced in teeth whitening and has complete control of the whitening process to help achieve the desired effect. Our dentist will apply a whitening gel onto your teeth whilst protecting your gums and lips, and this gel will be activated using light or heat to help you achieve great results in a short amount of time.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.
