Dental staining is a common problem that millions of Americans would like to fix, and yet it can be surprisingly complex. The factors that can contribute to yellowing pearly whites are many, ranging from daily wear and tear to certain medications. Depending on your stains, you could have an easier or harder time eliminating them.
Fortunately, dentists can address the various causes of a tarnished smile with cosmetic dentistry! If you’d like whiter and brighter teeth, keep reading to learn how your dentist may be able to help.
Causes of Dental Staining
You might be familiar with warnings against daily coffee consumption or frequent smoking. Certainly, indulging in treats with strong pigments and tannins will leave a lasting impression on your teeth. However, other factors can contribute to dental staining as well, such as:
- Everyday wear and tear
- Certain antihistamines, hypertension medications, and the antibiotic tetracycline
- Genetics
- Poor oral hygiene
- Physical trauma
As you can see, not every factor is something you can control, so don’t feel guilty or ashamed of your teeth if they look discolored!
The Types of Dental Stains
Whatever the reason for your teeth’s yellowing, dental stains typically fall into one of two categories:
- Extrinsic stains are settled pretty squarely in the pours of your enamel. In other words, this is more of a surface-level stain.
- Intrinsic stains have slipped past the pours to become more deeply ingrained in your tooth’s layers.
Twice daily brushing and a professional teeth whitening treatment can typically address extrinsic stains. While these solutions aren’t as effective for the trickier intrinsic stains, patients can still conceal deep discoloration with porcelain veneers or dental bonding.
A Closer Look at Your Treatment Options
It’s good to know that even if your stains turn out to be tough customers, there’s a cosmetic dental solution that can help you beautify your smile. But you’d probably like more details about your options! Here’s what makes them different:
- When administered professionally, at-home teeth whiteninginvolves custom trays and a special whitening gel. You’ll apply the gel to your trays as instructed by your dentist, and over the course of a couple weeks, your teeth will get whiter and whiter.
- Porcelain veneersare thin, tooth-shaped shells that your dentist will adhere to the front-facing portion of your teeth, effectively concealing stains – as well as any other cosmetic flaw!
- Dental bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin. To hide your discoloration from view with this method, your dentist will simply mold the material over the yellowing.
Overall, each method is minimally invasive but maximally effective!
Consult with Your Dentist
Since your precious teeth could be stained for a number of reasons, and the type of stain will determine which cosmetic dental treatment would be most effective for your smile, it’s best to consult with your dentist. With their professional know-how, you’ll be on your way to beautifully white teeth before you know it!
About the Practice
Dr. Ryan and Dr. Steven Shaffer are proud to offer quality dental services to patients in Lincoln and the surrounding areas. Each skilled dentist has their own wealth of experiences, and as the practice’s go-to cosmetic dentist, Dr. Steven would be happy to help you achieve a whiter and brighter smile. To contact Dr. Ryan and Dr. Steven’s office, call 402-423-1616.