What Causes a Discolored Tooth?

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A discolored tooth can be disconcerting, especially if it stands out in stark contrast to the rest of the teeth. If you’re wondering what causes one dark or yellow tooth, we’ll look at the usual suspects.

What Causes Discoloration?

Most people may think that discoloration can be traced back to items like blueberries, red wine, nicotine or coffee. However, if you have discoloration due to external stains, you’ll usually see it across your teeth as opposed to one or two discolored teeth. Single-tooth discoloration may be due to a loss of enamel, tooth decay, infection, or injury.

A Closer Look at Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening services are for external stains on otherwise healthy teeth, otherwise known as standard cosmetic dentistry in Hackensack. While they cannot treat all staining, particularly if your enamel has weakened over time, these treatments are remarkably effective at lightening teeth and removing (sometimes years) of built-up staining.

If you have internal staining, you’ll need to see a dentist in Hackensack, NJ to treat the tooth first. Some root causes, like severe infection or physical trauma, will present with evident symptoms (e.g., fever, pain). However, not all internal stains will be as easy to self-diagnose.

Why Seek Cosmetic Dental Treatment

No matter the cause of the discoloration, you can find a treatment that works for you. From bonding to veneers to whitening agents, there are multiple options to give you a movie star glow. When you brighten up your smile, it’s more than just a confidence booster — it’s a reason to take care of the rest of your chompers.

If you have questions about a discolored tooth or about teeth whitening, contact State Street Smiles to learn more about our general and cosmetic treatments.

Can Teeth Whitening Remove Deep Coffee Stains?

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Teeth whitening can remove stains of all kinds, but you might wonder just how deep it can go. If you’ve spent years drinking coffee, we’ll look at what teeth whitening in Hackensack, NJ can do to lighten everything up.

Teeth Whitening and External Stains

Professional teeth whitening can typically remove even the deepest external stains, including those from red wine, nicotine, and coffee. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t exceptions to the rule. In some cases, you may need to look into an alternative procedure, like veneers, for extremely deep stains.

Can I Use Over-the-Counter Treatments?

Over-the-counter treatments can be a good choice for people with light staining, but it’s not recommended for anyone with darker stains. When teeth naturally yellow over time, even if you’re not a coffee or red wine drinker, professional treatments are the best way to tackle the problem — often achieving shades up to 8 times lighter than over-the-counter kits.

Will Teeth Whitening Damage My Teeth?

In general, teeth whitening is safe. There may be some cases when it’s not recommended, but most dentists in Hackensack, NJ feel comfortable performing these procedures.

Keep in mind that teeth whitening is not effective on internal staining. If you have a discolored tooth from an injury or past infection, you’ll need to address the root cause to clear up the discoloration or seek a different procedure.

At State Street Smiles, our staff has seen how cosmetic treatments help our patients rediscover their own smile. This pride doesn’t just make photographs easier to take, it often leads to more diligence in their oral care routine. If you’re ready to make your grin a little brighter, contact us today to talk about your options.

Two Ways to Get Whiter Teeth According to Your Dentist

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Have you ever bought one of those drugstore teeth whitening kits and been disappointed by the results? You’re definitely not alone. About 90% of our Bergen County cosmetic dentistry patients who come to us for teeth whitening services share similar experiences. Here at State Street Smiles, our Hackensack dentists can provide you with two better ways to achieve faster, brighter, more consistent results and a more confident smile:

1. Teeth Whitening in the Dentist’s Chair

The quickest way to a smile that will pleasantly surprise you with how many shades brighter it looks is to have us do it here at our State Street Smiles office. It only takes about an hour, and all you do is relax while we apply a powerful teeth whitening gel to your enamel. We activate it with a special UV lamp that maximizes the gel’s bleaching effects. The gel we use here in the office has a stronger concentration of active ingredients than you can get in any over-the-counter application, and you have peace of mind knowing that cosmetic dental experts are overseeing the whole process. You will literally leave the office with a noticeably whiter smile.

2. Professional-Strength Teeth Whitening at Home

Although this method takes a couple of weeks longer, it still brightens your teeth by several shades over that period of time. Your Hackensack, NJ dentists can provide you with all the tools you need to get an office-bright smile in the comfort of your own home. These tools include:

  • Custom-made, take-home tooth trays
  • The tooth whitening gel containing professional amounts of the dental bleaching agents we use in the office
  • Instructions on how to use them

During one appointment, we will take molds of your teeth and send them to a lab to design your trays. Then you will come back in to pick up all the tools, and we will instruct you on how to use them. Typically, you wear the trays with the gel for a few hours a day for two weeks. You’ll already start to notice a significantly brighter smile after a week.

Call the Dentists Hackensack Trusts for Stunning Teeth Whitening Results

Don’t waste any more time or money on disappointing OTC teeth whitening products that barely do anything. Instead, schedule an appointment with State Street Smiles in Bergen County. Whether you choose to have us do it all in the office or to do it at home with the professional teeth whitening tools we provide, you’ll be proud to flash a brighter, more confident smile everywhere you go.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

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Do you want whiter, brighter teeth? Working with your dentist in Hackensack, NJ, you can have your teeth whitened with long-lasting results. At State Street Smiles, we help patients maintain beautiful, healthy teeth. Our professional teeth whitening procedure can whiten tooth enamel by many shades. If you’re considering teeth whitening for your smile, here’s what you need to know.

How Long Will My Teeth Stay White After Professional Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening offers long-lasting effects. While results will vary from one patient to the next, many patients see the effect of teeth whitening last for a year. For some patients, the effects of teeth whitening may last as long as three years.

Can I Make Professional Whitening Last Longer?

Taking good care of your teeth can help your tooth enamel stay white and bright for as long as possible. Here are some things you can do to keep your teeth white after the procedure is finished:

  • Brush your teeth twice per day and floss once daily.
  • Use best practices when brushing your teeth. For example, replace your toothbrush every three months. Brush for two minutes at a time. Consider using an electric toothbrush.
  • See the dentist for a cleaning every six months or as often as recommended by your dentist.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Swish with water after eating, especially when consuming staining foods.
  • Avoid tobacco products.
  • Use straws when drinking beverages besides water.

Need Teeth Whitening in Hackensack, NJ? Call Today

Are you interested in teeth whitening in Hackensack, NJ? The dental professionals at State Street Smiles are here to help. Our teeth whitening procedures can make your teeth several shades brighter! Call today to make an appointment and learn more about professional teeth whitening with a trusted dentist.

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How to Decide Between In-Office and Take-Home Teeth Whitening 

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Hiding your smile doesn’t have to be a lifelong strategy for avoiding showing stained teeth. Professional teeth whitening from our dentists in Hackensack, NJ, at State Street Smiles provides a great way to improve their appearance. But should you choose our in-office option or our take-home whitening kits? Here’s how to figure out which is better for you!

How Fast Do You Want Results?

It can take a couple of weeks before your teeth start getting noticeably whiter with a take-home whitening kit. But you might see results right away with in-office whitening. In fact, your teeth might appear a few or more shades lighter after just one or two sessions!

What Is Your Budget?

Having your teeth whitened in our office may cost more than using take-home whitening kits. Consider how much you want to spend on this treatment when making your decision.

What Is More Convenient for You?

In-office teeth whitening in Hackensack, NJ, involves coming in for one or more appointments, depending on how stained your teeth are. If it’s hard to find time for these visits, take-home kits may offer more convenience, since you can use them at home.

How Long Do You Want Results to Last?

Having your teeth whitened in our office tends to produce results that last longer, since we use powerful whitening agents for these effects. But if you use a take-home kit, you can always have touchups done in our office as needed.

Schedule a Visit for Teeth Whitening!

Are you ready to enjoy a brighter smile with whiter teeth? At State Street Smiles, our dentists offer in-office and take-home teeth whitening in Hackensack, NJ, to help boost your smile and self-esteem!