Teeth whitening at your dentist can produce stunning results when brightening your smile, and you should consider it to address specific types of tooth stains. Because teeth whitening works through compounds that generate a physical oxidation effect, it is effective for removing surface-level stains on your teeth.
The Two Types of Tooth Stains
The structure of your tooth enamel helps separate dental discolouration into two groups: intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains exist below your tooth enamel and are only visible because the minerals in the outer surface of your teeth create a semi-transparent layer. Intrinsic tooth stains do not respond to teeth whitening procedures.
Extrinsic stains, on the other hand, are the kind that can be eliminated through teeth whitening at your Brisbane dentist. These stains accumulate on top of your tooth enamel and are usually the result of lifestyle choices, including certain foods and drinks.
Here are some of the compounds which are most staining for teeth.
- Tobacco use, especially smoking
- Black coffee or dark-coloured teas
- Brightly-coloured berries such as strawberries, blueberries and currants
- Grape and other fruit juices
- Foods containing turmeric
- Tomato sauces
To reduce these stains, professional teeth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide, which bubbles against your tooth enamel, creating a chemical action that breaks up stains. This allows more natural tooth enamel to show through, making your entire smile whiter.