Do your discolored teeth keep you from smiling? It’s normal to feel self-conscious about the color of your teeth if they’ve become yellow or gray over time. For the most part, you can blame the fading of your white teeth on staining.

We’re an expert dental team at Crystal Smiles Dental in Livermore, California, led by Colin Young, DMD, and we understand everything there is to know about giving you the most beautiful smile possible. Here’s a closer look at stains and how to treat them.

Why your teeth might be stained

It’s important to pay attention to what you put in, on, and around your teeth because that’s what can stain them. Here are some examples of what can cause your teeth discoloration:

  • Drinking dark beverages (coffee, tea, or red wine)
  • Eating dark foods (berries, chocolate, or dark sauces)
  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • Side effects from certain medications
  • Using too much fluoride

The normal aging process can also cause the whiteness of your teeth to fade.

Understanding staining

Staining falls under two types of categories.

Extrinsic (external) stains

Extrinsic staining occurs on the outside of your teeth on your enamel. Your meal habits and tobacco (if you use it) are the main culprits. These stains can take a while to develop, causing the discoloration of your teeth to happen slowly. Extrinsic stains can also be removed easier than intrinsic stains.

Intrinsic (internal) stains

The underlying layer of your teeth is called dentin. It can suffer discoloration after a trauma to your tooth or from taking certain types of medications, like tetracycline antibiotics (which can turn your teeth gray). Also, as you get older, your tooth enamel begins to wear down, exposing more of the dentin of your tooth, which is a yellowish color.

How stains are treated

Your extrinsic stains can be easily treated by you with good, daily oral hygiene practices. They can also be treated at your routine professional cleanings. Not only do we remove plaque and tartar from your teeth to maintain your oral health, but we finish your visit by polishing your teeth with gritty toothpaste and a high-speed electric toothbrush to remove debris and stains.

For intrinsic stains, our in-office teeth whitening service can whiten the surface of your teeth, but can also go down into their deeper layers. We apply laser light to the bleaching gel, which activates the process and lifts your teeth several shades whiter.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, we also offer veneers, which can cover your discolored teeth. They mimic the appearance of your natural teeth and give you the option of picking the shade of white you want.

If you have stained teeth, schedule a consultation to learn how we can give you a smile that you’re proud of. Call, text, or click here to book an appointment today.

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