subject: Herndon Dentist - All About Tooth Whitening [print this page] If you have been partaking in red wine, coffee, and soda for too many years, this can take a toll on your teeth. Residents of Herndon, in Fairfax County, Virginia, may wish to turn to a Herndon dentist for help in reversing this problem. There are a number of tooth whitening procedures that can help you get your teeth a few shades whiter than before, with various levels of success. This can get you ready for the various celebrations that Herndon is so well known for, from Taste of the Town in April, run by the Herndon Council for the Arts, to the Herndon Festival in June. Whether you want to whiten your teeth for these local events or for your own satisfaction, the first step is to meet with your dentist.
Tooth whitening is a way of bleaching the natural color of your tooth enamel, without removing any of the tooth's actual surface. There are numerous reasons why you might be interested in whitening your teeth with the help of a Herndon dentist. For example, aging can cause your teeth to become yellow over time. What you eat and drink also has an effect. Tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking are some of the biggest culprits. If you have poor oral hygiene, tartar under the surface of the teeth can lead to staining. This can be more difficult to remove than the surface food stains.
No matter what is causing your stains, the next step is to consult with your Herndon dentist and find a way to get rid of them. One of the most popular methods is professional bleaching. In this procedure, the dentist will apply whitening products to your teeth using a specially fitted tray that has been molded to your mouth. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are two of the most common active ingredients. As these are broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel of the teeth, making them lighter.
This type of treatment usually takes three or four weeks for completion, with you applying these whitening products on a daily basis. Another option is to try laser whitening, which accelerates the bleaching process and can be completed in as little as one hour. With the help of your Herndon dentist, you can see results that last for approximately three years. To help keep your teeth as white as possible, it's best to avoid staining agents such as coffee and tea after a bleaching.
