You’re a stickler for oral hygiene. Not a day goes by that you don’t brush twice daily—sometimes more often—and floss between each and every tooth. You’ve even added mouthwash and tongue scraping to your regimen. Naturally you’re baffled and a bit concerned when your teeth still don’t appear as white as you’d hoped. You may even feel self-conscious, believing that poor hygiene is the only possible cause of not-so-perfect teeth. Actually, that’s not true, says Dr. Todd Pizzi at Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury. Dr. Pizzi, who offers teeth whitening in Shrewsbury, MA, explains that several factors can contribute to stained or discolored teeth.
Factors Affecting Natural Tooth Color
First, you must understand that many of the luminous white smiles you see on celebrities and politicians aren’t natural. There are actually about 30 different natural shades of tooth enamel, with gray and “butter yellow” at opposite ends of the spectrum; blinding white is not among these. Your genes are a major determinant of tooth color. Dr. Pizzi adds that certain medications and medical conditions can affect the color of your teeth, too. For example, children who take the antibiotic tetracycline before their teeth are fully developed may experience lifelong enamel discoloration. Conditions such as fluorosis and celiac disease can affect the color of teeth, as well.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
When hygiene isn’t an issue, over-the-counter whitening products aren’t likely to improve the appearance of teeth. Whitening toothpaste in particular is intended to make teeth look whiter by removing superficial stains caused by plaque buildup. Even drugstore whitening kits that claim to be professional strength may not achieve the desired results. You are more likely to have success with professional teeth whitening, says Dr. Pizzi, who uses the Kor Deep Bleaching system for stubborn stains. However, even bleaching may fall short in cases of severe discoloration. If this is the case, your dentist may recommend bonding or porcelain veneers, both of which are used to address whitening, chipped teeth, gaps, and other minor cosmetic flaws.
Questions about teeth whitening in Shrewsbury, MA? To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact us at (508) 842-8838. We welcome residents of Shrewsbury, Boylston, Hopkinton, North and South Grafton, and the surrounding cities.
