Discolored teeth are more than an oral health concern. Yes, they may indicate a tooth infection that could weaken your teeth, gums, and jaws but they can also be aesthetically limiting. In fact, most people who seek professional teeth whitening Yonkers services do so because of cosmetic concerns. Stained or discolored teeth can make you appear older, unhealthier, less approachable, less attractive, and even less reliable that you actually are. They can color people’s opinions of you negatively, especially since your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Fortunately, you can get rid of tooth stains. The first step toward this and reclaiming your smile is understanding the type of teeth stains you have. Here is a look at the four primary types.
Extrinsic Teeth Stains
Extrinsic tooth stains are caused by color changes on the surface of your teeth. They are usually caused by the buildup of a protein film over your tooth enamel. In most cases, this film is created by stain particles from foods and drinks you consume like tea, coffee, cola drinks, juices, and red wine. Extrinsic tooth stains can also be caused by tobacco use. They usually respond well to regular teeth brushing and dental cleaning with a whitening toothpaste. Typically, the staining appears yellow.
Intrinsic Teeth Stains
As the name suggests, intrinsic teeth stains occur inside the teeth. The discoloration usually happens in the dentin below your tooth enamel rather than on the surface. Technically, the dentin darkens or discolors, which shows through your teeth enamel. Intrinsic teeth stains can be caused by injury or trauma to the structure of the tooth, certain medications, or tooth decay. Their removal is usually more involved because the problem is ingrained within the tooth. However, cleaning intrinsic stains is possible with professional teeth cleaning provided by a certified dentist.
Age-Related Teeth Stains
As you grow older, the combined effects of intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration can cause your teeth to appear less bright or yellow. This happens because your dentin naturally adopts a yellow hue over time. Meanwhile, the enamel covering your dentin wears away and gets thinner, allowing the discoloration to become more visible. This, combined by the effects of the foods you eat can lead to age-related staining.
Childhood (Fluorosis) Teeth Stains
Fluorosis is a type of teeth staining caused by exposing the teeth to too much fluoride. Fluoride is added to toothpastes to protect your teeth from cavities. However, in too-large doses, it can cause teeth streaks. These streaks, unlike intrinsic and extrinsic stains, are usually whiter than the rest of the teeth. They may appear like chalky-white streaks or patches running across the enamel. Sometimes, the staining can be brown or yellow. Fluorosis is also called childhood teeth staining because it only affects children whose teeth are exposed to excess fluoride during the developmental stage.
Professional Teeth Whitening Can Restore Your Smile
Identifying the type of teeth stains you have is only the first step. Next, you need to take steps to eliminate them. If the stains are minor, you can try home oral hygiene practices like flossing regularly and brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least 2 minutes at a time. If this fails to remove the stains, you can turn to professional teeth whitening. Schedule a session with your dentist so they can diagnose the cause of your teeth stains and restore your smile’s natural bright hue. In addition to being safer than OTC cleaning, a dentist cleaning is more effective. It should restore your smile in no time. To get started, contact a provider near you today.