Nothing brightens a day than being flashed with a bright smile.

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” ― Mother Teresa

These are just some famous quotes about how a smile can be a powerful force that can change someone’s day.

With proper dental hygiene and routine, you’re ready to show off your pearly whites. However, not all have a bright set of teeth to be proud of.

Based on a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common procedure people want to improve their smile was to make their teeth whiter.

Meanwhile, another study done the American Association of Orthodontists showed almost 90 percent of dental patients requested tooth whitening.

What is teeth whitening, and why is it needed?

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures to improve the appearance of your teeth. It is the treatment done to lighten teeth without removing any of your tooth’s surface. It helps in removing stains and discoloration on your pearly whites.

However, it is not a one-time procedure and is needed to be repeated from time to time because our teeth get yellow or stained due to several factors listed below.

Drinks

Drinking dark-colored liquids such as coffee, cola, tea, and red wine are major culprits in staining our teeth. They have intense color pigments called chromogens that stick to your enamel—the white, outer part of a tooth.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco contains chemicals such as tar and nicotine, and these stain your teeth big time. Tar is naturally dark and nicotine, while it usually is colorless, turns into a yellowish surface-staining substance when mixed with oxygen.

Medication

Some medicine like antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications can darken your teeth. Having children exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline in the womb or as a baby could have discoloration on their teeth as they grow up. Radiation procedures like chemotherapy can also darken teeth.

Trauma

A tooth or teeth that experienced any kind of trauma could turn darker due to more dentin, a soft, darker layer under the enamel.

Aging

As you get older, your teeth also age with you. Aging makes your teeth less bright as the outer layer of your teeth called enamel gets thinner, showing more dentin.

Teeth whitening is a popular service offered by most dental professional, especially cosmetic dentists.

However, it is also offered by a lot of non-professionals. And with the dawn of the Internet, a lot of teeth whitening products are being sold online so you can do it at the comfort of your home.

But doing it incorrectly or too much could lead to some potential health hazard on your health.

If you want to undergo teeth whitening treatment, it’s best to seek professional help because dentists are qualified and licensed to conduct the treatment safely. They will also provide you with proper and correct information on what you need, should do before and after the procedure.