What is Zoom Teeth Whitening?

What is one of the first things we notice about a person?  Maybe their eyes, or their hair, or even their nose?  I know for me; I see their smile.  It’s one of our most distinct and unique characteristics. It’s also something that we need to take good care of.  For some of us, it’s even a large source of insecurity.  Yellowing teeth (even if caused by age or some other factor out of our control) can make us feel self-conscious and unconfident in our lives.- Zoom Teeth Whitening

So, let’s discuss what might cause the discoloration in our teeth, and what we can do to treat it.  After all, with such a loaded topic, there is a lot that goes into it.  Hopefully I can help you get a better understanding!

What can Make our Teeth Yellow?

Now, I say “yellow,” but I really mean any abnormal color.  This means anything other than white or off-white.  If you’re curious about that definition, you can learn more details about it on this page.  Keep in mind that there are two main categories: intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external).

Intrinsic Stains

As the name suggests, these occur within the dentin, which is the internal structure of a tooth.  For this reason, they are often far more difficult to remove.  What can cause them, though?

A lot of them come from taking certain types of medication.  In fact, if a pregnant woman takes something called tetracycline after the fourth month of their gestation, their child might be born with yellow teeth.  Always consult a doctor when starting a new drug.

Some other examples of this phenomenon are when children take tetracycline or some other types of antibiotics before they turn eight years old.  This can also cause yellow or even brown teeth.  

Some mouthwashes may result in staining.  This is mostly a concern for those that have the ingredient chlorhexidine.  While that substance can treat gingivitis and reduce bacteria, unfortunately it can end in discoloration as well.

If you are receiving chemotherapy or another form of radiation treatment, you may notice some intrinsic stains.  Antihistamines and blood pressure medications also pose a risk.  Now – I’m not telling you to avoid all these things.  Just remember that they might result in some abnormal coloration for you.

Funny enough, the final thing I’ll touch on in this section is excessive levels of fluoride.  This is most common in areas where fluoride is already naturally occurring in the water before more is added.  This amount can cause fluorosis, in which there are streaks of white or yellow on your teeth.

Extrinsic Stains- Zoom Teeth Whitening

Now, this category affects the enamel, which is the outer layer of a tooth.  Primarily, these are due to lifestyle choices that we make.  Food, drink, and other factors play a part.  Thankfully, these are easier to remove and correct.

Let’s start with one of the biggest offenders: wine.  I know – it’s delicious.  Red wines are fragrant and make for a great date night.  Unfortunately, ingesting it often can lead to discolorations on our teeth.  It stains quite easily.

Tragically, coffee is another beverage that can result in this.  The main reason for this is the prominence of chromogens in these substances.  This means the pigments stick very easily to our enamel.

Even some kinds of fruit cause stains.  This includes blueberries, pomegranates…really, any darker colored fruit.  Chocolate, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar are also culprits.  

Once again, I don’t think total avoidance is the answer.  However, if you’re looking for some more guidance on these topics, you might want to look at this article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475. 

The final thing to touch upon here is the use of tobacco.  Those who smoke it or chew it often have severe staining on their teeth.  That is because of how strong the chemical nicotine is and the substances within tobacco.  Clearly, using tobacco can be quite dangerous in many ways.

Removal Options- Zoom Teeth Whitening

Something I live by is that prevention is often easier than dealing with the aftermath.  That means that stopping the stains from happening in the first place is probably better than treating them after.  However, this isn’t always possible.

While our lifestyle plays a big part of it, I know I am loathed to give up my morning cup of coffee, for example.  Instead, I just do my best to brush my teeth often and floss.  Some genetic or hereditary traits will alter the color of our teeth too, and obviously this isn’t something that can be prevented.

This is why there are orthodontic services that can help.  Regular cleaning of our teeth is one facet of this.  Going at least once a year for a professional cleaning and inspection is never a bad idea.  It will help keep your smile radiant and healthy.

Naturally, there is also teeth whitening.  If you are in the Jacksonville area, remember that Farnham Dentistry offers Zoom teeth whitening if you are seeking out these services.  If you are not sure what that is, I will explain.  It is a way to brighten your teeth in as short as an hour, hence the name “zoom.”

Procedures like that one that occur in a dental office are just one method, of course.  You could also try some of the at-home whitening strips.  Many orthodontists offer safe ones if you want to inquire with them.

There are also over the counter choices.  Most drugstores have teeth whitening strips that you can purchase.  Usually, it takes a longer time to see results with these.  It is all about what you are comfortable with.

After all, the goal at the end of the day is to boost your self-confidence.  We all deserve to have a smile that we are proud of and feel good about.  It is simply a fact that the beauty standard today is to have white and straight teeth.  

Thankfully, achieving this look is easier than ever.  Talk to your dentist or health care provider about what options are best for you.  A method like direct whitening might not be best if you were born with fragile enamel, for example.

The other reason this is so important is that our oral health is unavoidably tied to the rest of our health.  It can even provide a window to the rest of our body if we are paying attention.  Check with the side effects of your medications, as something like a dry mouth can put you more at risk for infections.

Your oral care should be tied with your overall care.  That is why it’s best to consult multiple providers before you proceed.