Dental discoloration can develop for a number of reasons, ranging from the foods we eat and drink, to habits like smoking or improperly brushing. Because dental discoloration can occur from one or a combination of factors, treating stains successfully means catering treatment to the individual. For many dental discoloration sufferers, professional teeth whitening is highly effective at lifting stains and restoring a beautiful, white smile. Learn about the types of dental discoloration and treatment options in this overview from Jackson dentist Danny O'Keefe.
Tooth discoloration has many causes, which can lead to different types of tooth discoloration. Some discoloration is caused by the foods and drinks we consume, such as coffee or red wine. Not practicing proper oral hygiene can also discolor the teeth as a result of plaque and food particles remaining on the teeth. Other habits like smoking or any form of tobacco use can turn the teeth a yellowy-brown. These types of stains can be further categorized into extrinsic or intrinsic stains.
Fortunately, there are treatment options to improve the brightness of even the most severe discoloration. Professional teeth whitening is typically successful at lifting years of extrinsic dental stains to reveal a rejuvenated smile. Some patients with severe extrinsic staining may not be able to obtain their desired level of brightness with whitening treatments. For such patients, dental bonding and porcelain veneers treatments may be a good alternative. Dental bonding and porcelain veneers can be custom colored to any shade of white and are placed on the front surface of the teeth to hide flaws like discoloration. Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are also the preferred choice to treating intrinsic stains. This is because intrinsic stains are too deep and irregular for whitening gels to reach. Once you've received whitening treatment, you can help keep your teeth their pearliest with these tips:
To find out which treatment is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. O'Keefe today.