If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth then you need to speak to your dentist Soho and find out about cosmetic dental treatment. There are many factors that can affect the appearance of your teeth. One of the most common factors that affects the appearance of your teeth is teeth staining. There are two different types of teeth staining, intrinsic stains and extrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are the most common type of stain. These make your teeth appear yellow and affect the enamel of your teeth. Intrinsic stains can make your teeth appear grey, blue or black, and these affect the internal layer of your teeth, the dentine. Intrinsic stains can also be as a result of tooth decay which affect the dental pulp. Intrinsic stains and extrinsic stains need to be addressed differently. Treatment for intrinsic stains can also work for extrinsic strains, however treatment for extrinsic stains may not work on intrinsic strains. This may sound very confusing, but your dentist will be able to help you. You can upload a smiling selfie to your dentist and find out which treatments are most suitable for you.

Teeth whitening at the dental practice or at home

As mentioned, extrinsic stains are the most common type of stain. They occur as a result of poor dental hygiene, food and drink and lifestyle choices. Smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are major causes for extrinsic stains. They weaken the enamel allowing stain molecules to seep into your teeth creating a dull, yellow, or even brown appearance. If you maintain good dental hygiene and visit the dentist on a regular basis the stain molecules can be removed. However, over time they become more stubborn and eventually cannot be removed by brushing. You need to speak to your dentist and find out about teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is an excellent method of improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. It is simple, affordable and highly effective. Teeth whitening is non-invasive, and it is suitable for most patients, especially if you have healthy teeth and gums. Teeth whitening can be carried out in two different ways. It can be carried out at your dental practice for instant results, or it can be carried out gradually in the comfort of your own home, using a home treatment kit.

Whether you choose to undergo teeth whitening at the dental practice or at home is your personal preference. Both types of teeth whitening are very effective. At the dental practice you can have your teeth whitened in a 60 to 90 minute session, whereas teeth whitening at home can be completed within 2 to 3 weeks. Teeth whitening is carried out using hydrogen peroxide at the dental practice which is a bleaching agent that breaks down stain molecules on the surface of your teeth. It is activated with UV light to speed up the process and you can leave the practice with a beautiful, white smile. At home, teeth whitening is carried out using carbamide peroxide which is a more gentle bleaching agent, but also breaks down stain molecules on the surface of your teeth. They can be brushed away to reveal the white enamel underneath. Speak to your dentist to make the right choice for you.

Composite bonding

For intrinsic stains you need to find out about other cosmetic treatment options. Teeth whitening does not work on intrinsic stains. You need to speak to your dentist and find out about composite bonding. Composite bonding is an excellent method of disguising intrinsic stains which are affecting the dentine and permanent stains on the surface of your teeth. Composite bonding is carried out by applying a layer of tooth coloured resin directly onto the surface of your teeth. Composite bonding is also non-invasive and has no adverse effects on your natural teeth. Rather the layer of resin on the surface of your teeth helps protect your natural teeth underneath from further wear and tear. You can achieve excellent aesthetic results, and this can last for many years depending on how well you look after your teeth. Although teeth whitening is suitable for most patients, composite bonding may not be suitable for everyone. Certain habits include clenching, biting nails and grinding the teeth may damage the resin. Also, your teeth need to be healthy before you can consider composite bonding.

Speak to your dentist today to find out more about improving the appearance of your smile. Both treatments can help achieve instant results, so the quicker you book an appointment the earlier you can start enjoying the benefits of a beautiful white smile.