Brighten Your Smile for the Holidays: Is Professional Teeth Whitening for You?

While some people may have a bright white smile naturally, you might feel as though you have to work harder to keep your teeth free of stains and discoloration.

If you’ve noticed that your teeth aren’t looking as bright as you’d like them to be, you might be wondering how you can get them that desired shade of white in time for all of your holiday gatherings. 

At Andreacola Family Dentistry in Marlton, New Jersey, Lynn M. Andreacola, DMD, and the rest of our team are passionate about helping you achieve a smile you feel confident showing the world. In this month’s blog, we discuss possible causes of tooth discoloration and when our professional teeth whitening can help. 

What’s behind your tooth discoloration?

Causes of tooth discoloration are typically placed into three different categories: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. Let’s take a look at each type.

Extrinsic

When you have extrinsic discoloration, the staining has only affected the outer layer of your teeth, the enamel. Common things that can lead to extrinsic staining include tobacco, coffee and tea, red wine, berries, and tomatoes. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to this type of discoloration over time. 

Extrinsic staining often leaves your teeth looking yellow or brown.

Intrinsic

Sources of intrinsic discoloration come from inside your teeth. Triggers for intrinsic staining include dental trauma, tooth decay, and some medications. Intrinsic staining gives your teeth a grayish hue. 

Age-related

As you get older, your enamel begins to wear away. Not only does the lack of enamel leave your teeth more vulnerable to stains, but it also discolors your teeth as the yellow dentin underneath begins to show. 

Is professional teeth whitening the answer?

When you see Dr. Andreacola and the rest of our team about tooth discoloration, we start by examining your teeth to look for signs of wear or decay that could be responsible for discoloration. We also ask you about your diet and lifestyle habits that might be contributing to stains. 

Once we’ve narrowed down the source (or sources) of your tooth discoloration, we can recommend treatments. 

If your tooth discoloration is intrinsic, teeth whitening treatments won’t be effective because they can’t address the root issue. Oftentimes, veneers are a great option for brightening your smile when teeth have been affected by this type of staining.

However, if age or lifestyle habits have stained your teeth on the outside, our professional teeth whitening services can significantly brighten your smile. Our medical-grade products are much more effective than ingredients you can purchase at the local drugstore, making the professional treatment a worthy investment. 

We offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options, so you can choose the type that’s best for you.

Get the smile of your dreams in time for the holidays

Undergoing professional teeth whitening with the team at Andreacola Family Dentistry is quick and offers dramatic results. To get the brilliantly white smile you want for your holiday events and photos, schedule an appointment by calling our office or using online booking today.