Many people wish their smiles were whiter and brighter. At Tarheel Family Dentistry, we offer our patients professional whitening treatment so they can look their best.

But how do teeth become discolored in the first place?

Causes of Discolored Teeth

Teeth may turn yellow, discolored, or darker over time through these methods:

Age

Surprisingly enough, our teeth may darken over time. Dentin, the dark layer found underneath tooth enamel, can become exposed after years of brushing and other types of wear and tear on teeth.

Smoking or Tobacco Use

Nicotine and tar darken and stain teeth. Repeated use of tobacco products or a long-lasting smoking habit puts you at risk for discolored, stained, or yellowed teeth.

Foods and Drinks

Certain fruits, coffee, sodas, or tea can stain teeth. To prevent this from happening, you can drink through a straw so that tooth enamel is not affected.

Medication

Some medications, like antihertamines, certain antibiotics, and medication for high blood pressure may discolor teeth.

Prior to treatment, Dr. Sarah Cook will perform a comprehensive assessment of your oral health and dental history.

Teeth Whitening Treatment Options

Tarheel Family Dentistry offers multiple teeth whitening options to our patients. Some treatment may include the following:

Take-Home Whitening

Before a patient takes home their teeth whitening treatment, an impression of their teeth is made to create a bleaching tray. Bleaching trays are custom-fit to teeth in order to ensure a consistent amount of bleaching product is equally distributed to every tooth.

Tooth Bonding, Dental Veneers, and Dental Crowns

If your teeth are resistant to other teeth whitening methods, you may want to try a more permanent solution. Through tooth bonding, a resin material is bonded to an affected tooth. Dental veneers are used in severe cases to cover the entire upper or lower arch. Dental crowns utilize a cap that is placed over a tooth.

You can learn more about the teeth whitening treatments that we offer here

Schedule an Appointment

Don’t wait. Find a teeth whitening option that’s right for you and your oral health goals. If you want a whiter smile, call us at (919) 551-8847 or schedule an appointment with us online here.