If you don’t like the color of your teeth you are not alone. Most people’s biggest complaint that they cite when they want to improve their smile the biggest answer is to whiten their teeth. Stains on one’s teeth have multiple causes and there are many reasons they occur, and thus the treatment for each type of stain is different. Below is a look at 3 of the most popular kinds of stains and how to remove them effectively:
Intrinsic stains occur when the dentin on the teeth is stained. Dentin is the sensitive tissue just below the enamel layer on a tooth. This layer is generally a darker shade of yellow when these stains set in. These are generally stains that are seen after the enamel wears off of the teeth, and that is due to poor oral health. This can be caused by exposure to tetracycline in antibiotics during childhood or because of physical trauma to your teeth. These stains are from inside the teeth and cannot be treated with whitening treatments or toothpastes. The most common treatment that are used to mask these stains are either bonding or crowns. They are added over the tooth, and they are able to contour them to the shape of teeth to make them look natural as possible to the rest of the mouth.
Extrinsic stains are stains to the enamel of the teeth, which is the hard surface protecting the dentin and the pulp of the tooth. Enamel comes in contact with every single thing you eat or drink. Darker foods like red sauces or fruits such as berries can stain the enamel over time when consumed often. Drinks like sodas or root-beer and even coffees and teas if drank often enough can stain the enamel, too! Generally whitening toothpastes can clear most of these stains up over consistent use within a few weeks. If the toothpaste doesn’t work possibly professional dental whitening will do the trick. Avoid stain-causing darker-colored foods and/or drinks for a few days after whitening to avoid re-staining the teeth you just had whitened. As for exactly how long to abstain from these foods after professional whitening ask your dentist for exact recommendations.
Teeth can break down and stain just like any other body part does with time and age. These stains are often caused by the dentin of the teeth getting darker, and the enamel wears thinner with age. This is no fault of your own for not caring for your teeth or eating a bad habit. It’s about age. To treat these stains a treatment must clean at least deep as the dentin to get the color to lighten back up again. Sometimes professional whitening can’t even get the enamel white as you would like it to get. If you are not satisfied with professional cleanings, the dentist may be able to bond your teeth or cap them with crowns to help make your teeth appear whiter.
If you have any questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.
The Ramona Dentistry Team
“Where Family Comes First”