Discolored teeth can take away from your appearance while diminishing your self-confidence levels. Not all tooth discoloration is caused by stains, and because of this, not all tooth whitening treatments may be effective. Here are some different causes of tooth discoloration and effective treatment options to brighten your smile.
Smoking, Foods, And Beverage Stains
If your teeth are discolored as a result of stains caused by smoking or from consuming certain foods and beverages, then professional laser bleaching treatments will be effective. Superficial stains are called extrinsic stains and are typically very responsive to office bleaching treatments. To a lesser extent, extrinsic dental stains also respond to over-the-counter bleaching strips and whitening toothpastes. It is important to note that while your bleaching treatments can dramatically whiten your teeth, you will need to limit your intake of coffee, cola, tea, red wine, and other highly pigmented foods and drinks. Avoiding smoking will also help extend the effects of your bleaching treatments.
Enamel Erosion
If you have enamel erosion, your enamel may become thin and weak. When this happens, it may become transparent, allowing your dentin to show through. Dentin is dark yellow, and when it shows through your enamel, it can make your teeth look discolored. Because this type of discoloration is unrelated to stains, bleaching treatments will not be effective. Instead, your cosmetic dentist in Highland Park may recommend porcelain veneers, which are thin, natural-looking shells that are applied over the front of your teeth to conceal discoloration and imperfections.
To schedule your appointment with a cosmetic dentist in Highland Park, contact Business Name or visit the website at Web.
