What Your Chronic Bad Breath May Be Trying to Tell You
Sure, bad breath can be embarrassing, but it can also point to a larger oral health problem. Here, we look at common drivers of bad breath and why you shouldn’t ignore the problem.
Get Your Smile Ready for Valentine’s Day With Professional Whitening
According to a recent poll, 82% of Americans noted that how their teeth look influences their self-confidence.
Professional teeth whitening provides a long-lasting solution for a more radiant smile, whether you’re trying to impress your date on Valentine’s Day or simply looking to feel more confident every day of the year.
Our team at Smile Bright Dental in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida, brightens your smile through professional teeth whitening, as well as offers a variety of other dental services, such as veneers and Invisalign®.
The pursuit of whiter teeth
White teeth weren’t always considered ideal. In fact, Elizabeth I, who reigned over England during the 16th century, possessed a sweet tooth that caused her teeth to blacken. This, coupled with the less-than-perfect dental hygiene of those days, made blackened teeth more the norm, and an homage to the Queen.
Many in Japan and Asia also revered darkened teeth. Other cultures, however, such as the ancient Egyptians, believed the whiter the teeth, the better.
Over the years, people used a variety of materials to lighten their teeth, including white vinegar, goat’s milk, nitric acid, lemon juice, chalk, and chlorine. Fortunately, recent advances in teeth whitening, such as lasers and LED lights, have replaced many of these less-than-perfect ingredients.
Causes of tooth discoloration
Over time, your teeth lose some of their brightness. Regular wear-and-tear causes your enamel to thin, revealing a yellowish layer beneath known as dentin.
Other things may also stain your teeth, including:
- Beverages, such as coffee, red wine, and tea
- Berries, chocolate, tomato sauce, and other colorful foods
- Smoking
- Excessive fluoride use
- Various medications
Our team counteracts these issues to whiten your teeth.
How the process works
Since whitening solutions may cause pain in problem areas, we examine your teeth and repair any issues, such as tooth decay, before proceeding.
In just a single visit, we can lighten your teeth several shades. During this painless procedure, your doctor:
- Places a device in your mouth to keep your lips away from your teeth
- Applies medical-grade whitening solution to the surface of each tooth
- Activates the solution with an LED light or laser
- Removes the solution
- Rinses your mouth
Treatment time ranges from 30–60 minutes, depending on your desired level of whitening.
At-home whitening
We also offer at‑home whitening kits that include custom‑fitted trays you wear twice a day for about 30 minutes. After two weeks, they can noticeably brighten your smile.
Our team crafts molds of your teeth, sends the molds to a lab to create trays that precisely fit your teeth, and provides you with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel whitening solution.
Customized professional whitening achieves better results than DIY strips or one-size-fits-all trays.
Benefits of teeth whitening
Not only does whitening improve the look of your smile, but it also:
- Removes stains and bacteria
- Boosts your self-image
- Reduces any social anxiety concerning your smile
- Helps you project a more youthful appearance
When you smile at a romantic partner, friend, family member, or colleague, you release endorphins, those feel-good hormones that relieve stress and lighten your mood. If teeth whitening inspires you to smile more, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day of the year.
Let us brighten your smile
Our caring team at Smile Bright Dental offers teeth whitening, as well as other cosmetic, preventive, and restorative dental procedures. To schedule your teeth whitening or any other dental procedure, give us a call today or book online anytime.
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