Do you have yellowed, discolored teeth? Contact Dr. E. Taylor Meiser for professional teeth whitening treatment in Annapolis, MD. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that can help reverse years of tooth stains.
Discolored, stained, and yellowed teeth are often caused by injuries, tobacco use, or certain medications, foods and beverages. At Lighthouse Family Dentistry, we offer teeth whitening options that can address these problems to create a healthier and brighter smile.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are multiple common causes of discolored teeth. The most common of these include:
- Tobacco: Over time, smoking, vaping, or using tobacco products can stain the teeth. Nicotine yellows the tooth’s enamel and can cause deep stains. We recommend that patients refrain from using tobacco products after whitening. This will help preserve the effects for as long as possible.
- Foods and beverages: Common causes of tooth stains are foods and beverages that contain chromogens. Chromogens are staining pigments in coffee, wine, tea, tomatoes, and berries. Deeply colored beverages are very prone to stain teeth. After consuming any of these we advise patients to brush their teeth immediately after to remove chromogens. A routine oral hygiene routine can help lessen staining in conjunction with a whitening treatment.
- Injury or Tooth Wear: Patients who chip or break a tooth may notice that it appears discolored. Additionally, as the enamel wears away, worn teeth can become discolored.
This is because of dentin, the dark under-layer beneath the tooth enamel becomes more visible as teeth age and become worn. We often recommend veneers or tooth bonding to cover this tooth discoloration.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?
Compared to over-the-counter whitening solutions, whitening overseen by a dental professional can provide real results. Over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels often do not penetrate the tooth enamel. Alternatively, they can increase tooth sensitivity and cause discomfort. Store-bought whitening trays are also not customized to conform to everyone’s individual smile. With professional whitening treatment, Dr. Meiser takes the needs of each patient into account. He can customize their treatment depending on their sensitivity for comfortable yet effective care.
In-Office and Take-Home Teeth Whitening in Annapolis, MD
Dr. Meiser offers both in-office and take-home whitening treatment to patients at Lighthouse Family Dentistry. Dr. Meiser isolates the teeth while covering the gums for in-office whitening treatment. He ensures that the whitening agents do not irritate the gums. Dr. Meiser covers the patient’s gums before beginning whitening treatment to ensure that the patient’s gums do not become irritated.
Then, he applies the customized whitening gel to the tooth enamel. He removes the gel after it has penetrated the enamel. Patients who want instant results benefit from this type of whitening. We also recommend in-office whitening for patients who are attending special events, including graduations, weddings, and birthdays.
Take-home whitening products offer a convenient and comfortable alternative for patients who want to whiten their teeth at home. However, patients will still need to visit our office for impressions.
Using dental impressions, we can provide patients with customized whitening trays. Once the custom trays are complete, we provide patients with a whitening kit that includes the trays and a whitening gel.
Brighten Your Smile in Annapolis Today
Do you want to whiten your discolored teeth? Call Dr. Meiser today at 410-324-7287 or schedule a dental appointment with him on our website. Please let Dr. Meiser or a member of his team know if you have tooth sensitivity concerns. They will help customize whitening treatment to your needs and goals.