Teeth Whitening: Do It Right

It’s not a news flash to say that we’d all like to have a beautiful smile, and the whitest teeth possible. At Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, teeth whitening is one of the procedures we are asked about the most often.

The reality, of course, is that the color of teeth can vary greatly from one person to the next. In fact, many people have teeth that are yellowish or gray, or otherwise dull and off-color. And that probably accounts for the popularity of whitening toothpastes.

There’s a wide range of these toothpastes in any grocery store, along with whitening strips and similar products. They contain abrasives that polish the teeth, and help to dissolve stains.

Types of Stains

There are two kinds of stains on teeth: extrinsic and intrinsic.

• Extrensic stains. Extrinsic stains are surface stains. We’re all vulnerable to them, because they’re the type of teeth stains that come from things like coffee, cola, and other beverages. Tobacco is also a major staining agent, whether it’s smoked or chewed.
• Intrinsic stains. These are stains that are within the enamel of the tooth itself. They are often caused by antibiotics such as tetracycline.

What To Do?

Whitening products from the store can be effective. But they do not have the whitening power of professional teeth whitening.

One of the major drawbacks of whitening toothpaste is that the results don’t usually last. They also don’t whiten teeth more than a shade or so, and some patients report sensitivity after using them.

At Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, our teeth whitening can whiten your teeth up to eight shades, leaving you with a brilliant white smile. People from Mansfield and Grand Prairie come to our office for whitening and other cosmetic dentistry services. Schedule an appointment with us today!