Everyone wants a beautiful bright smile. Unfortunately, many suffer from teeth discoloration. Yellowing or darkening teeth can be embarrassing. Most of the time, it prevents us from showing off our best smiles. The good news is, there is something we can do. With the advancement in cosmetic dentistry, you can now be more confident with your gorgeous smile!
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are different causes of teeth discoloration. It can be extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
- Extrinsic
This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth, known as the enamel, is stained. Stains are caused by what you eat and drink or put into your mouth. One of the most common causes of extrinsic stains is drinking coffee, wine, soft drinks, and other colored beverages as well as smoking. - Intrinsic
This occurs when stains work through the outer layer of the tooth into the inner layer of the tooth, known as the dentin. Excessive use of fluoride in early childhood also linked to intrinsic stains. This type of discoloration is trickier to remove and thereby needs specialized treatment. - Age-Related
The teeth naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age and, therefore, exposes the dentin allowing a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic stains to occur.
What Are Treatment Options?
Most extrinsic stains can be removed by professional cleaning coupled with a proper dental hygiene. A good dental routine consists of brushing, flossing, and gargling after meals.
Home remedies also include the use of over-the-counter whitening agents. Discoloration can be removed by applying a bleaching gel to the tooth and putting on a mouth guard given by a dentist. This home intervention, however, is not as effective as the procedure done at a dental clinic.
Intrinsic and extrinsic stains can be removed more successfully by a dental professional. With power bleaching, your teeth can get significantly whiter within 30 to 45 minutes of the procedure. Several treatments may be needed depending on the level of discoloration.
However, when the tooth starts to darken, bleaching the enamel is unviable. A dentist may apply bleach on the inner layer of the tooth or may consider a veneer or crown. A veneer can be a great option for a major discoloration.
Dental discoloration is not something to be ashamed of. It happens to a lot of people. If you are unhappy about how your teeth looks, visit our clinic. We offer a range of treatment options, including whitening treatments and veneers.
Do not worry, teeth discoloration is relatively easy to treat! All you need is the most effective treatment for your dental condition, and you will be sporting a white smile in no time. For preventive dental care in Lincoln, CA – drop by Tooth Spa Dentistry .
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