Yellowing teeth: a common phenomenon
To understand why teeth yellow, you need to know that their colour is directly linked to that of their enamel, the visible protective layer. Enamel is naturally pearly white and covers the dentin, the bulk of the tooth, which is rather yellow. Teeth become dull for two main reasons: a buildup of stains and structural changes. In the first case, dark deposits from food and drinks (tea, coffee, red wine, berries, red grapes, tomatoes) end up masking the enamel’s natural shine. Enamel erosion, caused by aging, wear and repeated acid attacks, also yellows the teeth: the dentin shows through and the enamel becomes porous and more prone to stains. Some medications can also cause structural and colour changes.
Whitening: when is it an option?
Teeth whitening products, whether sold in pharmacies or online or offered at a dental clinic, aim to remove stains built up on the enamel to restore its whiteness and shine. As a result, only teeth yellowed by dark deposits can be whitened, since thinning enamel and other structural changes cannot be reversed.
Whitening with custom trays: a proven, safe treatment
At Centre Dentaire Ethier & Nadeau in Saint-Eustache, we offer whitening with custom trays, a treatment in a few steps:
Assessment
We assess whether the treatment is possible, as well as the initial colour of the teeth, before taking dental impressions. The dentist also determines the strength of the product to use, the full length of the treatment and the daily wear time.
The treatment
You receive your trays (custom-made in a laboratory). Each day, you fill them one-third full with whitening product and wear them for a set time (usually 60 to 90 minutes).
Checking the results
We see you again after 10 to 14 days to assess the shade achieved and extend the treatment if needed.
Touch-ups
These are often recommended within the following 6 to 12 months to help maintain the results.
Teeth whitening: why making the right choice matters!
There are several teeth whitening options, some sold in stores (pharmacies and big-box stores) or online. These are more accessible and much cheaper. However, these one-size-fits-all treatments give mixed results, which makes it tempting to use them often, and that can damage the enamel over time. Treatments supervised by dental professionals are fully personalized, which makes them safer and improves the results.