Yellow teeth? Sainted? Sure no one likes to have such a discouraging smile. Right? So, what makes teeth like that in the first place? The answer is: more than one reason.

Teeth become teeth become yellow, stained, or discolored with time due to several reasons such as diet containing colors, tobacco, alcohol, plaque, and tartar, or any physical injury to the teeth. However, the discoloration and staining can be either intrinsic (inside) the tooth or extrinsic (outside) the tooth.

Intrinsic & Extrinsic discoloration or staining?

Intrinsic is when the color of the dental pulp (the core of the teeth) reflects its color to the enamel (enamel is translucent in nature). Sometimes the damage to the dental pulp can reflect as discoloration of the whole tooth. Besides, some individuals possess a healthy but a darker shade of the dental pulp, hence reflecting a yellowish or darker color to the enamel. Other reasons could be excess of fluoride mineral in teeth, and usage of drugs such as tetracyclines and minocycline’s by mother during the development of the embryo or in early stages.

Extrinsic, on the other hand, could be to several reasons such as plaque, tartar, diet, tobacco, and alcohol.

So, what is the solution? Make them white!!

You can do that through dental bleaching. Dental bleaching is also known as teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. This chemical procedure remarkably enhances the shade of teeth and makes them aesthetically pleasing and beautiful.

Here are the top 5 things you must know about dental bleaching

1.    The result does depend on the condition of teeth you already have 

This may sound a little depressing, but it is true that the outcome of dental bleaching highly depends on the pre-existing condition of the teeth such as type of staining, the severity of staining, and the overall health status of your teeth.

2.    Dental bleaching is not for everyone 

Dental bleaching treatment is not suitable for every patient that comes into the dental clinic. Some of the important points that dentists do look at when recommending this cosmetic dental treatment are the overall health of the teeth including caries, the status of the gum diseases, oral hygiene regimens that the patient follows, diet, and consumption of tobacco (if any), etc.

3.    Side effects of dental bleaching

In dental bleaching treatment, hydrogen peroxide is used to chemically remove the discoloration and staining. This chemical although is used in a very controlled and minimal concentration, however, some patients may have allergies or are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Sometimes mild to moderate sensitivity may be noticed after the treatment.

4.    Dental bleaching is not a permanent treatment

The effect of the dental bleaching may last for a few weeks to months; however, it greatly depends on how well you are taking care of your teeth. Whether you are following all the instructions given by your dentist including less intake of colored diet, less consumption of tobacco, and your daily oral hygiene regimens.

5.    Professional consultancy is mandatory

It is essential to have a thorough and professional consultation before aiming to get teeth bleaching or whitening. The dentist will comprehensively check and note your dental complaints, your dental health condition, your dental needs, and your financial status. All of these will be included in your dental treatment plan and then teeth bleaching treatment will be followed as scheduled.