Whitening for Teeth – Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Discoloration and staining are something that most people have to contend with as they age. It is not uncommon and there are a number of causes of yellowing or other discolorations of the teeth. This can be a frustrating problem and one that is embarrassing, but not something that cannot be corrected. Understanding what causes stains can greatly help remedy the problem, but if there are other more serious causes, they too can be dealt with through the correct treatment. There are a number of solutions to a dull smile and the great news is that many of them can be done at home or through minimally invasive treatments or procedures.
Where do Stains Come From?
The most common stains come from the fact that as we age our teeth lose their bright white appearance. This is commonly caused from the abuse that our teeth undergo on a daily basis. Not only are they exposed to many food and drinks, but many that can stain them. Other daily habits can also cause the teeth to yellow, turn brown or even shades of gray, such as cigarettes, medications and foods such as dark drinks, red wines, sodas and coffee. Taking note of the foods and drinks that stain the teeth can greatly improve the whitening process; however one cannot avoid everything that can cause potential staining. There are a couple of tips such as drinking from a straw, immediately brushing your teeth and limiting the intake that can also help improve the appearance of your smile.
Stains and discolorations happen because there is a very thin layer of plaque that is built up on the teeth through the normal progression of the day, and food that is eaten. The stains of food and drinks can live in this plaque, therefore creating a darker appearance of your teeth. Because the teeth are porous, these stains can also bury themselves deep inside those pores, which creates staining of the teeth. Stains caused by medication such as tetracycline or fluorides in the water are known as intrinsic stains because they are not on the surface of the tooth, but at a deeper level. For intrinsic stains it may take professional whitening or a longer time of home bleaching to achieve lighter shades of white.
Correction Options
What is important to remember about all types of shades and discoloration is the fact that it can be corrected through many different treatments. Not only are there at home bleaching kits, there are other procedures such as laser whitening, bonding and veneers that can greatly improve one’s smile. These whitening procedures can greatly improve the color of the teeth and even lighten them several shades, making anyone proud to smile. While we as humans cannot guarantee that our teeth will remain a beautiful shade of white through our adult life, we can ensure that we can lighten them through the many advances in dentistry. Incredibly, the many products available over the counter have the ability to restore the smile, color and remove stains from the teeth in a matter of days. This is wonderful news and can restore the reason to smile, quickly!
