Besides general wear and tear over the years, the most common cause of tooth stains is the food and drinks you consume. Some of the items that are most likely to discolor your teeth include:

• Coffee
• Dark teas
• Mustard
• Berries
• Tomato sauce
• Red wine

There are of course a variety of other causes, such as tobacco use, certain medications, and facial injuries.  

At Loveland Dental Group, the team offers two exceptional options for whitening. You can choose either an in-office teeth whitening procedure or a professional take-home system. Both of these are top-of-the-line systems.

However, the biggest advantage of the in-office procedure is that in as little as one hour, you can achieve a smile that is several shades whiter and brighter than the original color of your teeth. You can even come in on your lunch break and go back to your workplace with a brand new smile to show off.

Whether it’s in the office or at home, whitening works by wearing a tray lined with a powerful bleaching agent. In the office, a laser is used to expedite the whitening process. The bleaching agent breaks apart the concentration of stains on your teeth, giving them a whiter appearance.

The professional strength take-home system also produces excellent results. However, this is achieved by way of a more gradual process. The take-home kit may be prescribed alone, or after your in-office treatment to perfect or maintain the in-office result.

Generally, whitening results should last at least one year. However, if you take excellent care of your teeth with proper brushing and flossing techniques, your results can last even longer.

The beauty of whitening is that you can always come in for another one to touch up your smile. If you notice your results fading, don’t worry: that just means it may be time for another bleaching.