As spring turns to summer, and the warm weather finally arrives, we often think of summer clothing and enjoying fun by the pool or at the beach. Living near the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and beautiful Lake Michigan certainly give us plenty of opportunity to enjoy beachside beauty in the warm weather.
So, as you put that summer wardrobe back in your closet and get ready for afternoons in the warm summer sun, don’t forget your teeth! Your teeth can enhance your appearance all summer long. If you look in the mirror and your teeth look dingy, yellowed or stained – not to fear. You CAN do something about it before summer is in full swing!
The effects of routine coffee, tea or red wine drinking – or smoking – can discolor and stain your teeth. Over time, these stains can become quite ingrained – and often difficult to remove. You might try store-bought over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions. For many, with recommended usage, these products do provide satisfactory results. However, for many, the results are just not white enough. Or, the stains on their teeth are just too tough to be eliminated by such store-bought teeth whitening solutions. It isn’t that these products are of low quality really, it’s just that over-the-counter remedies can only be as strong as non-prescription regulations allow – and some teeth stains are particularly challenging.
For many, the very best way to get truly gorgeous white teeth is with professional teeth whitening. With contemporary cosmetic dentistry, your dentist can restore the whiteness of your teeth – in many cases – several shades whiter! Through the use of a professional-strength whitening gel, fitted teeth trays, and professional whitening lights, your dentist can visibly improve the whiteness of your teeth. It is a painless process, but may require several visits to accomplish the shade of white you most desire.
You might have heard that teeth whitening makes your teeth sensitive. Teeth whitening itself will not cause tooth sensitivity, but other existing factors in your mouth might cause aggravated tooth sensitivity. If you have any cavities in your teeth, the whitening solution can penetrate the tooth decay, reaching the inner parts of the tooth, and thus cause tooth sensitivity. So, before pursuing any teeth whitening, be sure you have your teeth checked for cavities and have all found cavities filled.
Additionally, the whitening solution only works on the tooth’s enamel. This means if you have receding gums, because the roots of teeth have no enamel on them, whitening will have no effect on them. Also, as dental veneers and crowns are essentially artificial teeth, teeth whitening will have no effect on them.
If you are unhappy with your smile and would like whiter teeth – in time for summer fun – cosmetic dentistry and professional teeth whitening might be the solution for you. The best person to talk about this procedure, is the person who knows your mouth and your teeth best – your dentist!
Dr. Joseph Majka is a cosmetic dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana. He has helped many people enjoy whiter, brighter smiles – and can help you too! Call Dr. Majka for an appointment today at (219) 464-7191.
