The natural teeth get their color by the scattering and reflection of light off the enamel, which is the outermost layer of a tooth, in combination with the color of the dentin that lies under it. The genetic factor impacts the smoothness and thickness of the enamel. The thinner the enamel, the more will the color of the dentin shows through. Every day, a thin coating forms on the enamel and picks up stains which are then held in by the pores that are present on the enamel. Aging also results in darkening of teeth since the enamel gets thinner and the dentin becomes darker as one ages. There are two main types of whitening procedures available today: vital and non-vital. Let us study both of these methods in detail to understand them better. 1. Vital whitening Being the most common type of teeth whitening technique, this process involves the use of a gel which contains some form of hydrogen peroxide. This gel is directly applied onto the tooth surface. Whitening can be done both in a dentist’s office or at home. However, in-office whitening allows your dentist to make use of a more powerful whitening gel and a specialized light or laser technique that speeds up the process.

When it comes to caring about your mouth, it isn’t always about how bright your teeth are or how vibrant your smile looks. Even if you have cavity-free teeth, it simply says nothing about how healthy your gums are. Since most gum diseases are usually painless, a number of people suffering from them don’t even realize that they have one. Proper gum care can help in keeping your gums healthy. Let’s get to know about a few measures to protect your gums. Flossing Flossing, at least once a day, helps in removing the plaque and tartar that is usually beyond the reach of your toothbrush. It doesn’t matter during what time of the day you floss, but simply doing it is essential. Get dental cleanings done regularly Dentists can usually detect gum disease symptoms if you see them regularly, which helps in treating them even before the disease actually begins to appear or become a serious issue. Professional cleaning is the only way to eradicate tartar and plaque completely from the root, which is not possible with the use of a toothbrush. Quit smoking Smoking is strongly associated with the onset of a number of oral health diseases, gum disease being one among them.

Also known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are small, often painful lesions that develop on the inner soft tissues of the mouth or at the base of the gum. Because they develop inside the mouth, they often make eating and talking quite difficult. In most cases, these sores heal on their own, within a couple of weeks. But in case your canker sores are unusually large and painful or do not seem to get better even after a few weeks, it is best to consult a good dentist. Causes of canker sores The exact cause of canker sores is not very clear. However, according to the researchers, there are a number of risk factors that can contribute to the development of these sores. Some of the most common ones include: Any minor injury to your mouth caused by dental work, extremely hard brushing, accidental cheek bite or sports casualty. Use of toothpaste or mouth rinse containing sodium lauryl sulfate Sensitivity or allergy to foods such as eggs, cheese, nuts, chocolate, coffee, and acidic or spicy food Hormonal changes during menstruation Emotional stress Deficiency of zinc, iron, folic acid or vitamin B-12 in the body In addition to the above-mentioned causes, canker sores may also develop because of certain diseases, such as: