Are you a fan of drinking a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea in the morning? Or maybe you like having a glass of red wine with dinner or a cigarette during your lunch break at work? All of these things can lead to dental discoloration, leaving your smile with an unappealing look. There are also a range of other things that can cause your pearly whites to become anything but that. Read on to learn about three different types of tooth stains, what causes them, and what your dentist can do to help.
Type #1: Extrinsic Discoloration
This type of discoloration is superficial and affects the outermost layer of the teeth, which is called the enamel. There are several things that can cause extrinsic tooth stains, including smoking or using other tobacco products and consuming berries, cola, coffee, red wine, tea, and other dark or highly pigmented foods and beverages. Biannual dental visits for a checkup and cleanings are often enough to remove these stains. Brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste may also be effective, but only do this in moderation to prevent enamel damage.
Type #2: Intrinsic Discoloration
When the stains are inside the tooth, this is called intrinsic discoloration. It’s much more difficult to remove these kinds of stains using over-the-counter products like whitening strips, toothpaste, and trays. These types of tooth stains can give your teeth a grayish hue and can be caused by certain kinds of medications, trauma to the tooth, decay, fluoride overexposure, injuries, or genetic factors. Professional whitening treatments from your dentist may be needed to remove these stains.
Type #3: Age-related Discoloration
As we get older, our tooth enamel starts wearing away, allowing the layer under it to show through. Called dentin, this part of the tooth is naturally yellow and can make your smile look discolored. Additionally, teeth become less translucent as we age. This also makes them appear darker than before. These types of tooth stains are usually caused by a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
3 Ways Your Dentist Can Brighten Your Smile
Though a discolored smile can negatively impact your confidence, there are several treatments that can help, including:
- Dental bonding – This treatment uses a composite material to cover stains to correct a range of cosmetic dental issues, including discoloration.
- Dental crowns – For teeth that are severely damaged or decayed, this treatment can repair both the way they look and the way they function to give you a healthier and brighter smile.
- Porcelain veneers – This treatment uses thin shells made from dental-grade porcelain to cover the entire front of a tooth and mask issues like stains.
- Teeth whitening – This treatment can be performed in-office or at home. It lifts stains from your smile to make it look brighter by several shades.
There are multiple types of tooth stains and things that can cause your smile to become discolored. Speak with your dentist about the options they offer to give you a bright, white, and gorgeous grin!
About the Practice
Dr. James Candon and his team at BridgeMill Dental Care are here to help their Indian Land patients achieve beautiful smiles they love. They offer cosmetic dental treatments like porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding, and crowns to cover or correct the different types of tooth stains. If you want to setting up an appointment with BridgeMill Dental Care or are interested in more information about cosmetic dentistry, call (803) 650-3925 or visit their website.