Many things can contribute to the discoloration and staining of teeth, including:

• Natural aging
• Poor oral hygiene
• Medications
• Foods and beverages
• Smoking and tobacco use

Stains on teeth can be classified in one of two ways: Extrinsic or Intrinsic:

• Extrinsic Stains appear on the surface of your teeth.
• Intrinsic Stains live between the micro-cracks in your enamel and deep within your dentin (the layer of your tooth underneath your enamel).

Whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses may be able to remove some of the extrinsic stains on your teeth.

But only professional teeth whitening agents can remove the stubborn extrinsic stains and the unsightly intrinsic stains that cause your teeth to look discolored.

Opalescence gels contain an active whitening ingredient (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that penetrates your enamel to get to the discolored molecules. Oxygen molecules from the whitening agents react with the discolored molecules in your teeth, breaking the bonds that hold them together. The oxygen molecules spread, whitening the entire tooth. As a result, you are left with a brighter, whiter smile.

Professional tooth whitening is not a new option to enhance smiles, as new over-the-counter products and trends are hitting drug store shelves as new formulas are continually released to the market. However, some of these OTC trends can be harmful to your teeth and can even strip the enamel and cause extreme sensitivity. We believe it’s always best to leave whitening to the professionals. As professional teeth whitening is a harmless and effective way to whiten your teeth.

For more information on whitening go to the resource page for Opalescence.