Teeth whitening has become a very popular cosmetic procedure in recent years. Perhaps people are becoming more aware of procedures that dentists can carry out on your teeth. It may be due to the fact that people are now taking more photos than they ever were. The advance of the smartphone and the proliferation of the selfie might mean that an increasing number of people are aware of teeth discolouration. Whatever the reason, there has been a huge uptake in the numbers availing of teeth whitening procedures. However, there are a number of factors that you should be aware of before obtaining a teeth whitening procedure. An essential question that you should ask is whether can you whiten crowns.
Tooth whitening solutions use hydrogen peroxide to remove the stains on your teeth. Our teeth become stained because the enamel which covers our teeth is a sensitive, porous material. It is subject to the environment in our mouth. When we eat or drink, our enamel feels the effects of what we consume. We have microscopic cracks in our teeth which absorb the food and drink that we put in our mouth. Over time, this can result in stains and discolouration on our teeth. This is especially true if you consume certain food and drink. Coffee and tea can result in discolouration. Similarly, acidic food can stain your teeth. If you are a smoker, there is a high probability of your habit having an effect on the colour of your enamel.
Dental crowns are a common procedure that many people have needed. People require crowns for a range of reasons. In many cases, the tooth is damaged, causing it to chip or break. Dentists place a cap on the tooth to prevent any further damage and reduce an unnecessary pain. Unlike teeth, which are made of enamel, crowns are made of porcelain. This means that they do not have the same microscopic cracks. Therefore, they do not stain to nearly the same degree as the rest of our teeth. If you have crowns, you may notice that the rest of your teeth are changing a different colour. As a result, you might be thinking can you whiten crowns?
Due to the fact that crowns are made of porcelain, they cannot be whitened using the same methods for the rest of your teeth. Therefore, you need to seek out alternative methods to ensure that all your teeth remain white. Firstly, you can ask your dentist about whitening your teeth before your crown is placed. If your need for a crown is not a dental emergency, then you might be able to whiten your teeth before your dentist places your crown. This will ensure that your crown is the same desired colour as your teeth. If you already have a dental crown, and you feel that the rest of your teeth are becoming yellow, then you can ask your dentist to prepare a new crown.
The best method to for teeth whitening is to avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth. Furthermore, make sure that you are looking after your oral health by brushing, flossing and making regular trips to your dentist.
