For some patients, maintaining a bright and white smile can start to feel like a full-time job. The truth is that there are so many different things that can cause our smiles to dull, and many of them are daily threats!
If you are looking to whiten and brighten your teeth, our Orland Park teeth whitening dentists can help. Depending on your unique situation, our team may recommend some simple changes to your daily routine, and/or professional treatments to refresh your teeth.
One of the simplest things that you can do to improve dental whiteness is to incorporate over the counter whitening products into your daily routine. Specially formulated toothpastes, mouth rinses, and topical treatments can help address minor discoloration.
You can also minimize your consumption of staining agents. If you drink a lot of coffee, for example, you’ll likely develop environmental stains over time. Tobacco products are notorious for discoloring enamel. In general, limiting the number of staining things you eat and drink will give your smile a boost.
For many people, however, these kinds of at-home interventions are not enough. If this sounds like you, then you may be interested in undergoing professional dental whitening. This type of whitening is non-invasive, and uses a topical gel formulation. Professional whitening gels are much more potent and effective than over the counter options. Patients can lighten their teeth by up to eight shades with in-office whitening, and many people see results after just one session.
For more stubborn types of discoloration, our team offers a number of treatment options that actually cover the natural enamel with a custom-shaded material. We can do this with composite dental resin, for example; this is called dental bonding. We can alternatively use individually crafted restorations, called veneers, to completely resurface unsightly teeth. These types of treatments are great for patients who have not had success with topical whitening formulation, and for those who want to whiten their smiles while also addressing additional dental problems, like misalignment and gaps between teeth.
When you meet with our Tinley Park cosmetic dentists, we’ll assess your smile, so that we can give you a better idea of what type of treatment might best meet your needs. If you’re living with a dark or discolored smile, you have options!