Treating Different Types of Tooth Stains

Teeth come in a variety of shades and tones naturally. Not to mention, it’s normal for them to change color over the years for various reasons. However, an attractive smile is attributed to youth, happiness, success, and confidence. If you’re embarrassed by stains or discoloration, you’ve probably tried a few OTC products but didn’t achieve the results you wanted. OTC kits don’t contain professional-grade whitening agents and not all stains will respond to them. Stop throwing money down the drain. Here’s how to treat the most common types of tooth stains.

Types of Tooth Discoloration

Believe it or not, many factors contribute to the color of your teeth, like your diet, genetics, and oral hygiene habits. Identifying the source of discoloration is essential for restoring your pearly whites. Tooth stains are identified in 3 main categories:

• Extrinsic: A stain on the surface of a tooth is classified as extrinsic discoloration. It’s caused by pigments from food particles, smoking, or poor oral hygiene. 
• Intrinsic: Discoloration originating from the tooth structure is a little more difficult to treat. An intrinsic stain can be caused by excessive fluoride, trauma, or certain medications.
• Age-Related: Enamel gets thinner over the years, causing more yellowish dentin to be visible. Thin enamel is more prone to staining. Age-related discoloration can be a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Some OTC products can provide a slight improvement in the color of your teeth; however, you won’t benefit from any drastic or lasting results. The only way to effectively treat tooth stains is with a trained dental professional by your side.

Options to Treat Tooth Stains

Your first step to a whiter smile is a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. They’ll examine your mouth to look for any dental concerns, which will need to be addressed before undergoing a whitening treatment. Your dentist will determine the cause of your discoloration and recommend a solution, which may include:

• In-Office Teeth Whitening: A highly concentrated whitening agent is applied to your teeth and activated using a special dental light to get your teeth up to 8 shades whiter in about one hour. Your results can last for many months or years with the right aftercare.
• Take-Home Whitening Kits: Your dentist will give you everything you need to achieve in-office results from the comfort of your home. You’ll use the kit for 2 weeks to restore your pearly whites.
• Porcelain Veneers: A veneer improves the color, size, and shape of a tooth. Bonding them to the teeth visible when smiling corrects many issues at once using a method that can last for a decade or more.

You can turn back the clock and reveal a vibrant smile using the latest advancements in cosmetic dentistry to combat stains.

About Dr. Corey Martinez

Dr. Martinez earned his dental degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry and has regularly continued his education in many specialties, including cosmetic dentistry. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and many other professional organizations. Request an appointment through our website or call (317) 659-9335.