Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?

Food, drink, and daily living take a toll on the whiteness of your smile. Sure, there are aisles full of whitening products at your local pharmacy, but none of these have the strength of a dental office whitening session, one of the most requested cosmetic treatments for teeth. 

The team at Bucktown Wicker Park Dental specializes in smile upgrades with the Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed system. When you want a brightness boost to make your smile shine, contact us for an appointment at our Chicago, Illinois, office. 

Why do teeth lose their whiteness?

When your teeth dull down, it’s usually because of two types of staining: extrinsic and intrinsic stains.

Extrinsic stains

Extrinsic, or external, stains live on the surface of your teeth. These stains occur when you consume dark-colored foods and drinks with molecules that discolor your enamel. Over time, they become deep-set, even when your oral hygiene game is top-notch.

Common whiteness killers include:

• Beets
• Berries
• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Soy sauce
• Tomato products

Smoking and tobacco lead to brown-tinted tooth discoloration. Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may still confront brown or gray stains. 

Intrinsic stains

Intrinsic stains originate under the enamel on your teeth. As you age, the clear, protective enamel can thin out and wear away, revealing the yellowish dentin below the surface. 

Some medications, including tetracycline and other antibiotics, can stain teeth at the intrinsic level. Tooth decay and too much fluoride can also stain teeth in the dentin layer. 

Whitening your teeth

The Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed system can brighten teeth up to eight shades whiter in a single session. With advanced LED blue light technology, the professional-strength bleaches whiten your teeth in literal minutes. The results are clinically proven and instantly dramatic. 

Dental office whitening is so much more effective than home systems because of the safety factor needed for consumer products. Our technicians train extensively and whiten teeth every day, so you’re safe with the stronger formula presented by the Philips Zoom system.

Over-the-counter whitening products have a mere fraction of the strength of professional systems.

Staining continues

After your whitening session, those notorious staining foods continue to do their dirty work. Maintaining an excellent brushing and flossing routine at home, combined with regular cleanings at our office, can extend your whitening benefits.

Ask us how you can maintain a stain-free smile longer. 

Contact Bucktown Wicker Park Dental to schedule your next whitening session. Call us at 773-252-2303 to book your appointment today.