Teeth Whitening An Overview
Teeth whitening can be a quick, easy, and economical way to makeover your smile and erase years of tooth stains for a more youthful look.
Dr. Kim offers professional teeth whitening that can provide results that are safer, longer-lasting, and more consistent when compared to over the counter options.
Dr. Kim will meet with you first to evaluate your overall dental health and discuss your cosmetic goals before your teeth whitening treatment. This is an important step, providing the opportunity to ensure that your tooth stains or discoloration will respond to a whitening treatment and that your teeth are clean and healthy for the best possible result.
For patients who have stains from medications, medical conditions or genetics that may not respond to a teeth whitening treatment, Dr. Kim may recommend alternatives for whitening your smile that can also provide permanent results. Alternative cosmetic dentistry treatments can include tooth bonding, dental veneers, or dental crowns.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Tooth discoloration occurs when teeth’s natural white color changes, leading to yellow, brown, or even gray stains. There are several reasons teeth can lose their bright, white appearance, and understanding these causes can help you prevent discoloration and maintain a healthy smile.
1. Diet and Beverages
One of the most common causes of tooth discoloration is the foods and drinks we consume. Some foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries, contain pigments that can stick to the enamel of your teeth. Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth, and although it’s strong, it can absorb these pigments over time, causing staining.
Regularly consuming these types of foods or drinks can make stains worse. Smoking or using tobacco products is another major contributor to tooth discoloration. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes can turn your teeth yellow or brown, especially if you smoke frequently.
2. Poor Oral Hygiene
Not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is another major cause of discoloration. When you fail to properly clean your teeth, plaque and tartar can build up. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth, and when it isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar.
Both plaque and tartar can make your teeth look yellow or dull, and they can also trap staining food particles, making discoloration worse. Brushing at least twice daily and flossing daily are key steps to prevent this build-up and keep your teeth looking white.
3. Medications
Certain medications can also lead to tooth discoloration. For example, antibiotics like tetracycline, if taken during childhood when teeth are still developing, can cause permanent staining. Other medications, including some antihistamines, antipsychotics, and blood pressure drugs, can dry out your mouth, reducing the amount of saliva that helps wash away food particles and bacteria. A dry mouth can also lead to staining. Additionally, chemotherapy and radiation treatments can sometimes cause tooth discoloration due to their effect on the enamel.
4. Aging
As we get older, the enamel on our teeth naturally wears down. This can cause the yellowish dentin beneath the enamel to show through more clearly, making the teeth appear darker. This is a normal part of aging, and although it can’t be prevented, the discoloration can be minimized with good dental care.
5. Injury or Trauma
Another cause of tooth discoloration is injury or trauma to a tooth. When a tooth is injured, the blood vessels inside the tooth can break, causing the tooth to darken. This discoloration may show up right after the injury or develop later, and it may affect one or more teeth depending on the extent of the damage.
6. Genetics
Genetics also play a role in how white or discolored your teeth are. Some people naturally have thicker or thinner enamel, which can affect the appearance of their teeth. If your enamel is thinner, the yellow dentin underneath is more visible, which may make your teeth look more yellow. Those with thicker enamel may have naturally whiter teeth.
7. Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can contribute to tooth discoloration. For example, enamel hypoplasia is a condition where the enamel doesn’t form properly, making weaker teeth more prone to discoloration. This condition can occur during childhood, making teeth more vulnerable to staining.
8. Preventing Tooth Discoloration
To help prevent tooth discoloration, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial. Brush and floss regularly, avoid or limit foods and drinks that stain teeth, and regularly visit the dentist for cleanings and check-ups. If your teeth are discolored, your dentist can recommend teeth whitening treatments or other professional services to restore their bright appearance.