Teeth Whitening Inglewood 

Many people believe that the more serious dental problems occur when a tooth extraction is needed. However, when the need for an extraction arrives, it means that the problem has advanced too much, not that it has become severe; it was serious all along, it’s just that the patients didn’t know how to identify the signs. At Airport Center Family Dental, we are mainly interested in detecting dental problems promptly and treat them before they get worse.

One such early treatment is the teeth whitening in Inglewood, a procedure a lot of people consider to be purely cosmetic when that’s not the case. The majority of those who require a teeth whitening hide more severe problems, with the discoloration of the teeth being only one of the symptoms.

Why do teeth become discolored?

There are two types of tooth discoloration – extrinsic (at the surface of the tooth) and intrinsic (on the inside of the tooth). Depending on which categories you fit in, the underlying problems will differ as well and so will the whitening treatment. The reasons why teeth become discolored include:

Gum disease

Gum disease occurs as a result of plaque formation at the base of the tooth. Plaque is formed out of mineralized bacteria, sticking to the tooth’s base, where the enamel ends and causing gum infections with time. The plaque will cause the teeth to gain an unpleasant yellowish nuance, not to mention the foul mouth odor that usually accompanies the affection (halitosis).

Genetic inheritance

Teeth whitening in Inglewood may also be required in case you possess the wrong genetic material. People with grayer, browner or yellower teeth may inherit this particularity from their parents, in which case they have to resort to professional whitening, regardless whether their oral hygiene is top-notch or not.

Unhealthy lifestyle habits

Smoking has probably the worst effects on your teeth because it lowers your immune system, opening the way for gum disease, cavities, and gum infections. The tooth’s enamel will be under constant assault, leading to discoloration, decay and, eventually, complete destruction. Alcohol easily falls into the same category, as well as drinking coffee, red wine or anything else that may end up changing your teeth’s color.

Medication and fluoride

Specific medication, like tetracycline or various antibiotics, may have the effect of yellowing of the teeth. The same goes for using too much fluoride, as counterintuitive as it may seem.

Dental injuries or internal tooth interventions

Traumatic injuries may also result in discoloring the tooth, just as effective as various dental procedures like a root canal. In these situations, the problems are bigger and more complicated than just a color variation.

Teeth whitening in Inglewood is more than a simple cosmetic procedure. Although it ultimately serves at improving your smile, as well as your self-esteem, we, at Airport Center Family Dental, use it to improve your health as well. A dentist will always screen you for additional dental problems when coming to the cabinet, regardless if you are only there for a cosmetic procedure.