Valuable Facts About Tooth Discoloration

Stains on your teeth are frequent and can develop for various factors. What’s the good news? Most of these stains can be treated and avoided. This problem is caused by more than just food and alcohol. Other factors that stain your teeth include tooth trauma, aging, cigarette usage, and medication. 

The real issue with these discolorations is that they ruin the teeth’s aesthetics. Regardless of the cause, there are steps you can take to bring back your pearly white teeth. Here are some facts concerning dental stains that dental practitioners want you to understand.

Types of Teeth Stains

Teeth stains are uncomfortable to look at in the mirror. Everyone has battled discolored teeth at some point in life, but figuring out the most effective way to treat this can be challenging. Cleaning stained teeth is determined by the type of stains and which whitening solutions are suitable for your Easton dental health. With so many whitening alternatives on the market, there’s likely to be one that will have your smile dazzling in no time.

Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains develop when food or drink residue stains the enamel, the tooth’s outermost layer. Enamel acts as a barrier to protect our teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, soda, and tobacco users are at greater risk of developing extrinsic teeth stains. This discoloration is usually treatable with whitening toothpaste or seeing the dentist every six months. 

For deeply ingrained stains, professional whitening can be requested. You can discuss the professional teeth whitening cost with your dentist if you are interested in learning more about the price for tooth stain removal.

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic teeth staining happens when stains pass through the enamel and reach the tooth’s surface. This affects the dentin, the thick tissue in the center of our teeth. Dentin is typically yellower, but intrinsic discoloration can cause the tooth to look gray. Common sources of intrinsic staining include:

  • Certain medications and antibiotics
  • Too much fluoride at a young age
  • Trauma or tooth injury
  • Tooth decay

Once your teeth are intrinsically stained, removing the discoloration with over-the-counter or professional teeth whitening procedures becomes extremely difficult. Cosmetic treatments like veneers or dental bonding are often utilized to remove intrinsic stains.

Age-related Stains

Age-related stains are the result of extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. Your body changes as you get older, and your teeth are no different. You may anticipate two substantial changes to your teeth as you age: the darkening of your dentin and the thinning of your enamel. The mix results in an undesirable discoloration over which you have no control. 

Age-related stains, like intrinsic stains, harm the dentin of your teeth. Therefore, it would be most beneficial to deal with these stains with an item containing a powerful whitening ingredient, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, or with routine oral cleanings from your family dentistry.

In the End

Caring for our teeth is all about developing healthy habits. You may be able to prevent tooth discoloration by making a few simple lifestyle modifications. If you love consuming coffee, try cutting back or switching to another refreshment. And, if you smoke, seek help to quit because cigarette smoking has far-reaching repercussions beyond your oral health. Lastly, brush and floss your teeth daily, and visit a dentist for regular dental exams and cleanings.