All of us would prefer to maintain a beautiful, white smile, and this can most easily be accomplished by adopting a good oral health regimen that includes thorough brushing, flossing, and rinsing, as well as regular trips to the dentist for cleaning and x-rays. These steps can help to prevent issues that could compromise the health and appearance of our teeth.
However, you should know that even a lifetime of good habits may not be enough to prevent tooth staining that can cause you to look older and affect your confidence when you smile. What causes tooth staining and what can you do to treat it? Here’s what you need to know about different types of tooth stains.
Aging
Even with proper oral care, our teeth experience some wear and tear over time. The hard enamel can thin with age and the dentin inside our teeth can start to yellow. This is a natural part of the aging process. However, this type of staining can often be treated simply enough with professional whitening/bleaching treatments, which could show significant improvements.
Food
Extrinsic stains are those that affect the outer enamel of our teeth, and they are most often caused by staining agents in the foods and beverages we consume. Beverages like coffee, tea, cola, and wine can cause yellowing or even stubborn, brownish stains on teeth, as can food dyes. You’ll also find that the use of tobacco products can significantly impact the appearance of teeth, as well as overall oral health.
What can you do? The easiest way to prevent such surface staining is to avoid these substances, but you can also combat extrinsic stains in a few different ways. You might want to start with over-the-counter products like whitening toothpastes or bleaching products (gels, strips, etc.). A more effective means of whitening teeth is with professional bleaching trays or laser teeth whitening at your dentist’s office.
Medications, Medical Conditions, and Trauma
Intrinsic discoloration, which affects the dentin in your teeth, can leave you with yellow, brown, gray, or even purplish teeth. This could be caused by hereditary factors, excessive exposure to fluoride early in life, certain medications like tetracycline, certain medical conditions like dentinogenesis imperfecta, or trauma to the tooth.
In some cases, whitening procedures could help, but you may also have to consider options like dental bonding or veneers that hide the problem. Your best bet is to speak to your dentist about the cause of tooth staining and the most suitable method of treatment for your particular case.
