Frequently Asked Questions

I'm 23 years old and I don't smoke or drink coffee (nor have I ever) but my teeth are starting to yellow. I was wondering what I can do about this using over the counter products. Which products are the best and are they "paints" or do they actually remove the discoloration?

Yellowing or darkening of teeth is a natural process of aging. Even at 23 yrs, it begins. It is not likely to be a discoloration (that could be cleaned off) but is darkening of the inside of the tooth. If you want your teeth to have a whiter appearance, the over the counter whitening strips and paints can lighten the shade of the teeth if used regularly. It takes discipline to apply the strip or paint as directed everyday. These methods actually "bleach" the teeth and last for several months at a time. The side effects are noted by the manufacturers, but include increased sensitivity to cold and sweet. For prople who want "instant" whitening, the treatments applied by most dentists will do the trick. They are considerably more expensive and may heighten your sensitivity to cold.

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