As a child, when you made a mess on the floor, you likely didn’t realize that not all stains come off the same way. For example, you can’t use bleach on everything! Various cleaning products sit on store shelves claiming to take care of specific types of messes. Did you know that dentistry offers several solutions to help patients get rid of multiple kinds of tooth stains? Here are the major types of discoloration and what you can do to correct them!
Extrinsic Tooth Stains
Just like the words external or extrovert, extrinsic stains concern discoloration on the outside surfaces of your teeth.
Causes
Mostly, the enamel or exterior of your teeth have microscopic holes or nooks in them, and tiny molecules of deeply pigmented foods and drinks can get trapped and eventually make your teeth appear yellow or brown.
Treatment
Fortunately, this type of discoloration tends to be remarkably simple to fix! Daily brushing and flossing clear out larger, more recent deposits of discoloration, and a professional cleaning at your dentist’s office every six months can provide extra brilliance. Although whitening treatment is sold in most grocery stores and online, if you want a more powerful option, professional-grade teeth whitening treatment, such as Zoom!, can penetrate these nooks and eliminate the stains from 6 t o10 shades in just an hour-long appointment or in the comfort of your own home in about two weeks!
Intrinsic Tooth Stains
Intrinsic means on the inside, suggesting that intrinsic tooth discoloration occurs in more inner layers of the enamel and tooth.
Causes
As beneficial as frequent contact with fluoride can be against cavities, drinking too much in your water, especially as a child under the age of 8, could lead to fluorosis, a condition in which teeth become discolored on the inside of your dentition. Often, intrinsic tooth stains come from certain circumstances that are outside your control. For instance, some medications or conditions can come with less than radiant side effects.
Treatment
As you might imagine, intrinsic stains are much more difficult to access and correct completely! Typically, this kind of discoloration doesn’t respond to traditional whitening treatments alone, whether over-the-counter or prescribed by a dentist. In this situation, your dentist may recommend covering the stains by replacing the front surface of the tooth with a more stain-resistant ceramic product called a veneer. Another, less expensive option is cosmetic dental bonding, which uses the same material as tooth-colored fillings to hide this imperfection. For fluorosis, some rare dentists can combine professional teeth whitening with Opalustre fluorosis treatment to restore whiteness.
Age-Caused Stains
As you age, you’ll probably find that tooth stains become more common or more noticeable. This type consists of at least a little bit of extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration.
Causes
What role does “getting older” play in discoloring your teeth? Age does several things to your teeth:
Years of exposure to coffee, tea, wine, tomato sauce, chocolate, and other substances builds up to taint the exterior of your teeth.
Over time, daily use and maintenance—along with enamel loss with life—can allow the yellow dentin to show through.
Treatment
For many older patients, veneers are the most efficient choice to alter the color of their stained teeth. Instead of undergoing many rounds of whitening, which can result in sensitivity in teeth with thin enamel, you can receive carefully crafted and colored veneer to look realistic while giving those who want their beautiful smiles back can enjoy them!
In the end, stain types can be challenging to discern. When you talk to your dentist about your tooth discoloration, they can help identify the type and cause and then recommend an effective treatment to bring back your brilliantly white smile.
About the Author
Boyles General Dentistry has served the Midland and surrounding areas for more than 40 years. Starting with his father, Dr. Franklin Boyles, many years ago, Dr. Stephen Boyles has become a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, dedicating time he isn’t treating patients to continuing education coursework and other training, making him an expert in the field’s best technology and treatments. Call us to make an appointment at 432-685-7011 or visit our Contact Us page here.