One of the most common traits that people want to fix regarding their smiles is tooth discoloration. It can be caused by a variety of lifestyle habits in addition to factors that you have no control over, but fortunately, cosmetic dentists offer a number of answers to refresh and brighten your teeth. Read on to learn what can cause teeth to become stained and discolored, and how your cosmetic dentist in Billerica can help treat this flaw.
What Causes Teeth to Become Stained?
Tooth discoloration, including yellowing teeth, can be caused by a number of underlying issues. These include:
- Smoking & Using Tobacco Products: Smoking is one of the top causes of dental staining. The presence of nicotine and tar in tobacco products can cause the teeth to appear brown over time.
- Eating & Drinking Stain-Causing Items: Foods and beverages like red wine, coffee, tomato-based sauces, and more can lead to dental discoloration over time.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Plaque and tartar build-up on the surface of teeth can make them appear yellow.
- Aging: Although you aren’t able to control this cause of discoloration, years of using your teeth will naturally cause them to become discolored!
- Taking Certain Medications: Certain medications, like taking tetracycline, can lead to intrinsic dental staining.
How Can You Treat Tooth Discoloration?
Whether you have intrinsic (deep-seated) or extrinsic (surface-level) dental stains, there are a number of ways you can brighten and refresh your smile. Fortunately, cosmetic dentists offer convenient and cost-effective at-home teeth whitening that uses professional-grade, clinically proven whitening gel and customized trays. After just two weeks of use, this method of teeth whitening can make your smile appear up to eight shades brighter!
For a more dramatic smile makeover, porcelain veneers may be recommended. Not only does this treatment option allow patients to dramatically brighten their smiles, but it also conceal other aesthetic imperfections as well, like slight misalignment, chips, and other forms of dental damage. This treatment is a more extensive investment of your time and money, but the results can last for over a decade with good oral hygiene.
Is It Possible to Prevent Tooth Discoloration?
Naturally, with daily use, teeth become discolored over time. So, while there’s no way you can 100 percent prevent tooth discoloration, there are some ways you can slow down the rate at which they become stained. You’ll want to also implement these methods after you invest in veneers or teeth whitening:
- Maintain good oral hygiene at home and visit your dentist every six months.
- Avoid eating an abundance of stain-causing foods and beverages.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent staining.
- Avoid or break bad oral habits like smoking.
- See your dentist for touch-up take-home teeth whitening kits.
If you’ve longed for a brighter, more inviting smile, there are several cost-effective ways you can achieve one! Just visit your cosmetic dentist to learn more about all of your options, from more extensive veneers to fast and effective professional teeth whitening.
About the Practice
At Grateful Dentists, our team is comprised of two highly qualified, compassionate dentists who offer virtually every treatment your smile may need under one roof, Drs. Adam Danzig and Rachel Snook. With a dedication to providing personalized and tailored treatments to meet all of their patients’ unique needs, they’re able to help those looking for a smile refresh find the best treatment options for their budget and goals. To schedule a consultation, visit Grateful Dentists’ website or call 978-667-5807.