Blog Post

5 Options for Whiter Teeth

Admin • Jan 17, 2019

Having a bright, white smile is important in this day and age, but many people struggle with routine or stubborn stains. Whether your stains are caused by trauma, poor hygiene, smoking, food or beverages, you can have whiter teeth. Check out these five options you should consider for whiter teeth so you know which is best for your smile.

1. Over-the-Counter Whitening Treatments

Over-the-counter whitening treatments can be purchased at your local grocery store or pharmacy. They include:

  • Whitening toothpastes
  • Gels
  • Strips
  • Creams Trays

These are the most affordable options for whitening teeth, but they are slow to work, making them a poor choice if you want immediate results. The cheaper the product, the slower and less drastic the results. They may be great, however, for maintaining a whiter smile or reducing mild stains over a long period of time.

2. Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is a great choice if you want excellent results fast. At-home professional whitening is an option, so you can get professional results in the privacy of your own home; however, treatment time is longer than in-office whitening. At Gregory S. Rutherford we offer custom bleaching trays so that our patients can whiten their teeth while sleeping.

3. Dental Bonding

Some stains are resistant to whitening, including:

  • Darkened dentin from trauma
  • Stains from certain antibiotics
  • Discoloration from overexposure to fluoride

In other cases, your teeth may simply be prone to stains because you have small chips or cracks in the enamel.

In this case, teeth bleaching may not be enough, but dental bonding can be used to hide any stain. With dental bonding, a special composite resin is placed on the desired teeth, and the dentist shapes the resin to look like the front of a natural tooth. Results are fast, and the resin is toothcolored, but it may not have the same properties as natural tooth tissue.

4. Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular ways to correct stubborn stains because they look like natural tooth tissue. As with dental bonding, porcelain veneers are good if your teeth are resistant to whitening, and/or you have other cosmetic problems (chips, cracks, gapping, etc.).

Veneers can only be placed on front teeth, and they do not strengthen weak teeth. Veneers are more expensive than dental bonding, but they last a long time and are resistant to stains.

5. Porcelain Dental Crowns

Porcelain dental crowns are like veneers, but they cover the entire tooth surface to hide any stain on any tooth, including back teeth. They can also correct many other cosmetic concerns, but unlike veneers, dental crowns strengthen teeth by giving them a new solid exterior to withstand daily wear and tear.

Dental crowns require a lot of healthy tooth tissue to be removed, however, so they may be best if you have cosmetic concerns and weak teeth. Porcelain dental crowns may need to be replaced in the future, but if your teeth are weak, they may be considered medically necessary by your dental insurance carrier.

Dingy, yellow and stained teeth make you want to hide your smile, but you can choose from so many whitening options, even if your stains are resistant to whitening. Get started today and have a whiter smile tomorrow.

For more information about how you can get a whiter and more attractive smile, give Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA, a call today or shoot us a message to schedule your first appointment.

Teeth Gap — Sarasota, FL — Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA
By Admin 01 Sep, 2020
If you are looking for a solution for gaps between your teeth or have always wondered about the cause, read this guide to learn everything you need to know.
Two Teen Smiling — Sarasota, FL — Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA
By Admin 03 Aug, 2020
If you are not sure whether you should restore your tooth with a crown or replace it with an implant, use the following advice as a guide.
Woman With Mouth Open — Sarasota, FL — Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA
By Admin 25 Jun, 2020
Dental techniques offer patients several options for restoring portions of their teeth. Learn about the differences between inlays, onlays, and crowns.
By Admin 26 May, 2020
When you receive a crown, you'll have a choice regarding the material you desire. Read on to understand the material choices and the benefits of each one.
By Admin 28 Apr, 2020
How can you know which dental professional you need for which reasons? Read this blog to learn about dental specialties and how you can benefit from each.
By Admin 03 Apr, 2020
Do you need to have a dental crown? In order to better understand this type of dental prosthetic, learn about four things to know about dental crowns.
By Admin 09 Mar, 2020
If your dentures aren't fitting like they used to, it may be time to consider denture relining. Denture relining is a process that your dentist can use to provide a new, more comfortable fit for your existing dentures without replacing them. Here is an overview of denture relining so that you know what to expect from the procedure and can have an informed conversation with your dentist. Relining Procedure Denture relining is usually a simple procedure that can be completed in less than an hour. When you visit your dentist, he or she will first examine your mouth to assess the level of irritation that is present. If significant sores or swelling is present from the poorly fitting dentures, the dentist may recommend a temporary reline while your mouth heals and allow you to return later for the permanent reline. To perform a permanent reline, your dentist will first clean your dentures and sand away a small amount of material on the denture plate. After removing material in areas that are causing uncomfortable contact with your mouth, the dentist will then apply the soft or hard relining resin to the dentures. You will place the dentures back in your mouth and bite down gently to make an impression in the resin. Once the resin hardens, the reline is complete. Soft Relining Soft relining resin is one of two optional materials for use in denture relining. This resin is made of silicone and creates a softer, more comfortable base for the denture. Soft relining is the best choice for people with thin or especially sensitive gums, as there is less chance that irritation will develop in the future. The downside of soft relining is that because the material is softer, it is also less durable than the original denture or hard relining resin. This means that you will require more frequent visits for relining than if you choose to use hard resin. Soft relines are a better choice for older patients who usually have thinner gums and more advanced recession of the gums and other tissues in the mouth. Hard Relining Hard relining is the standard for denture relining, as it is both long-lasting and comfortable for all but the most sensitive gums. Hard relining resin is made from acrylic that is similar in composition to the original acrylic of your dentures. With hard denture relines, you shouldn't expect to need your dentures relined more often than every one to two years. The only potential drawback of hard denture relines is that they cannot always be completed on the day of your visit. While your dentist may be able to apply the reline, take an impression of your mouth, and harden the relining putty in one sitting, he or she may choose to send the impression to a dental laboratory for development. This will leave you without your dentures for a few days but is sometimes necessary to ensure the hard resin fits perfectly. Relining Benefits Denture relining resolves a number of issues that you may think would require replacement of your dentures. Sores, irritation, and general discomfort are the primary reasons that many patients consider relining. You may find that it is easier to chew with your relined dentures, and relining can also resolve slurs, lisps, and other speech difficulties caused by improper denture fit. Relining is also less expensive than an entirely new set of dentures. Even if you maintain a perfect oral health routine, the shape of your mouth will change over time. Denture relining is the best way to update an old set of dentures so that they fit comfortably throughout your life. If your dentures don't fit like they used to, Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA can provide denture relining that will make them fit like new again!
By Admin 11 Feb, 2020
A mouth guard is a more common solution for bruxism, but there are alternative treatments. Consider these three options to discuss with your dentist.
By Admin 10 Jan, 2020
A variety of auto-immune conditions can cause dental problems. Learn more about the ways an auto-immune condition can affect your dental health.
By Admin 04 Nov, 2019
Dentures can greatly enhance your quality of life if your damaged teeth cause oral problems or pain. If you have dentures, learn how to care for them.
Show More
Share by: