Why Don’t My Teeth Look Whiter? The Santa MonicaTeeth Whitening Dentist Explains

Written by Dr. Follette on May 22, 2018

When you need to brighten your smile for a special event, teeth whitening is an easy and non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment that will greatly enhance the color of your natural tooth enamel and to bring out the real beauty of your smile. Our Santa Monica teeth whitening dentist has several options available to help whiten discolored teeth. But it helps greatly for you to be aware of factors that impact the whiteness of your smile.

Aging: Our teeth naturally become worn and somewhat discolored as we age. Dental enamel will become slightly pitted and worn over time no matter how much care you take with your oral hygiene. This natural wear makes dental enamel porous, allowing staining agents to gradually discolor teeth. Wearing of the enamel also makes the underlying yellowish dentin more noticeable.

Inadequate oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene is a major contributor to the discoloration of your teeth. Lack of proper at-home oral hygiene will always result in yellowing of the teeth, causing other major dental problems as well. Talk to your dentist about how to improve your technique.

Genetics: This is not a defect, but some people’s teeth are inherently more yellow in color. The simple reason for this is that the dental enamel (the outermost layer) of your teeth is more translucent, which results in making the underlying yellowish dentin more apparent.

Staining: There are a number of stain-causing foods and products that are responsible for a vast majority of tooth discolorations: tobacco products, coffee, tea, dark sodas (such as cola), red wine, dark fruit juices (grape, cranberry), blueberries, soy sauce and tomato sauce. It is not necessary or even recommended that you cut out all these foods completely. But will have a better chance of maintaining a healthy white smile if you remember to brush or at least rinse your mouth after ingesting these products.

A beautiful white smile is one of your greatest assets and the first thing people notice about you. It’s an important part of that vital first impression. You don’t have to settle for a less-than-dazzling smile.

The Santa Monica teeth whitening dentist has several teeth whitening options that can get you on your way to the bright sparkling smile you’ve always wanted. Call our office today to arrange a consultation.