Everyone wants to have whiter teeth. But for those who have more sensitive teeth, trying to do DIY teeth whitening might have left you discouraged and sore. But you are not doomed to have both sensitive and discolored teeth. You may get better results from professional teeth whitening.
We will go through the reasons why tooth discoloration happens, where tooth sensitivity comes from, and the differences between at-home and professional teeth whitening.
How Does Tooth Discoloration Happen?
People may seek teeth whitening if their teeth are discolored, which can be from the outer layers of your teeth: the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the thicker, protective, and usually white layer. Right below is the dentin, which tends to be more of a yellow or brown shade. When the enamel is worn down or thinner, the dentin shows through. Other times, the enamel can be stained.
Tooth discoloration can happen for a variety of reasons, both lifestyle and natural. These are some of the most common causes of yellow teeth:
- Diet
Some foods and drinks can lead your teeth to become more stained. Drinks like red wine, soda, coffee, and tea, when drunk regularly, can cause your teeth to become more yellow. Many starchy and sugary foods attract bacteria, leading to plaque formation and therefore yellower teeth. - Genetics
Some people are born with a naturally thinner enamel or a more yellow enamel. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t taking good care of their teeth, but their teeth may appear more naturally tinted. - Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t brush your teeth, floss, or have checkups regularly, there can be a lot of plaque and tartar buildup on the surface of your teeth that isn’t being reached. This can lead to a yellow or stained appearance. - Lifestyle
Some products, especially smoking or chewing tobacco, can cause staining and yellowed teeth.
Though staying on top of proper oral care and a healthy diet and lifestyle are recommended ways to prevent tooth discoloration, you may need the assistance of at-home or professional teeth whitening to reverse some of the process.
Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity is when certain sensations or stimuli cause pain to your teeth. It can come from hot, cold, acidic, or sweet foods and drinks. It can have many causes – discussed more in depth in a prior blog post – including some of the following, which are the most common:
- Enamel Erosion
- Gum Recession
- Tooth Decay & Damage
- Bruxism
- Dental Procedures
If you have been experiencing tooth sensitivity, make sure you regularly maintain your oral hygiene and tell your dentist. Read our blog post on tooth sensitivity for more specific information.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
If you have wanted whiter teeth, you may have tried your hand at it before scheduling a professional teeth whitening session. There are a number of popular DIY remedies that you may have tried, including whitening strips or scrubbing a homemade paste on your teeth.
Though these creative options might have gotten good reviews, there are a few reasons why at-home teeth whitening may not be as effective as professional teeth whitening, especially if you have tooth sensitivity.
- Worse Tooth Sensitivity
Many teeth whitening products and kits contain peroxide as a way to “naturally” bleach your teeth. However, peroxide is a chemical that can penetrate the enamel and make your tooth sensitivity worse. - Gum Irritation
When DIY treatments or whitening solutions come in contact with your gums, they may irritate your gums, leading to redness, swollen gums, and discomfort, especially if your gums are already sensitive. - Weakened Enamel
Because of ingredients like peroxide, at home treatments may be doing more harm than good. They can erode the enamel, causing long-term damage, pain, and cavities. - Uneven Whitening
DIY teeth whitening can sometimes lead to splotchy, uneven whitening. This can be from kits not applying the whitening agent evenly or treatments being unable to stain crowns and fillings. - Ineffective & Temporary
At-home whitening solutions can often be temporary, needing regular treatments and still losing effectiveness easily.
Leave It to the Professionals
Though it may be tempting to “do it yourself” to get whiter teeth, dentists will be able to provide you with gentler and more effective treatments. In addition to having more technologically advanced methods, they also have the professional experience to know how to address your individual needs. Some pain-free benefits to getting professional teeth whitening include:
- Lower strength or custom whitening gels
- Desensitizing & numbing agents
- Custom-fit whitening trays
- Laser or LED whitening
- Spaced out treatments
- Pre- and post-treatment relief
At Eric Felt DDS, we offer the tools, supplies, and expertise to give you the best results possible, leaving you with a brighter and pain-free smile. Contact us today to schedule your professional teeth whitening appointment.
