Teeth Whitening Alexandria is only one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures that your family dentist can probably take care of. Many dentists who provide general dentistry can now provide cosmetic procedures like bridges, cosmetic restoration, crowns, veneers, and complete reconstruction. One of the simpler cosmetic procedures, as it is the least invasive, and probably also the least expensive, is teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening Alexandria is also called teeth bleaching. There are several factors that can create darker-colored teeth or create stains on the teeth. Some teeth stains are caused by our own behavior. Smokers and those who drink coffee, tea, wine, and sodas may notice stains on their teeth. Using toothpaste and mouthwash that are formulated for bad breath or gingivitis may contain an antiseptic ingredient called chlorhexidine that can stain the teeth. However, other patients may need teeth whitening through no fault of their own. For example, while our baby teeth are nice and white, as we get older, the mineral make-up of our tooth enamel changes and our teeth appear just a bit darker, typically past age 50.
A patient may have a condition known as enamel hypoplasia, a condition marked by a deficiency in the amount of tooth enamel. Sometimes, even eating healthy foods like some vegetables can discolor the teeth. A patient may be prescribed tetracycline, an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. One of the side effects of taking tetracycline is the development of stains on the teeth. In fact, if a pregnant woman takes tetracycline, the baby’s permanent teeth can be discolored. Another condition that can affect a child’s teeth is dental flourosis, meaning discolored or pitted teeth due to exposure to too much fluoride during the critical period from the age of 3 months to 8 years old.
Patients can also do their own Teeth Whitening Alexandria at home. They are widely available at local drug stores. There are also home kits you can buy from your dentist, which may be stronger than the kind you can buy in the drugstore. If you are interested in teeth whitening, speak with your dental hygienist or dentist at your Dental Office in Alexandria.
