Fix Stained Teeth
Stained teeth may be a problem that develops over time that you cannot necessarily identify. It might take a visit to the dentist to confirm that your teeth are no longer their natural white. There are many contributing causes and also treatments to address the staining and return the enamel to their original white. There are also identifiable benefits to healthy looking white teeth.
What Causes Stained Teeth
The cause could be your genetics, the fact that your aging, or your choice of food and drink. Coffee, tea, colas, and red wines are obvious culprits. Using tobacco products will stain teeth quickly. Some medications and some diseases will contribute to stained teeth, as well as your own poor oral hygiene.
The Treatments Available to Fix Stained Teeth
Some treatments can be done in the comforts of your own home. The best treatments though with the best results will be done by a dental professional. The concentration of ingredients will be far more effective in a dental office than what is available over the counter.
- Whitening Toothpastes-these toothpastes contain both polishing agents and special chemicals that are more aggressive than regular paste to lighten the shade of the teeth ever so slightly.
- Whitening Strips-peroxide-based strips use once or twice a day for several weeks can also improve the appearance of slightly stained teeth.
- At-Home Bleaching Trays-These trays can improve mild or moderate stains. A plastic tray is filled with a bleaching gel or paste and placed over the teeth for a suggested amount of time. Often overnight. If placed for a month, improvements can be seen in the amount of staining.
- In-Office Bleaching-These treatments are far more effective due to the strength of bleaching agents. Due to the increased intensity your teeth can improve three to eight shades in just a visit or two.
- Porcelain Veneers-At last resort, if your staining is the result of genetics or just aging, porcelain veneers can be an option. As the teeth age the enamel becomes thinner exposing the darker shade of dentin below the enamel. Veneers are a wafer-thin sheet of porcelain that are natural tooth colored that can be applied to the front surface of the tooth to cover the staining color. A tooth-colored resin can also be applied to the tooth or teeth in question.
The Benefits of White Teeth
White teeth start with you. If you exercise the suggestions of the health industry and simply brush your teeth twice a day and floss once it will go a long way in maintaining white teeth. Also seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups will contribute to good preventative measures. Research has proven that a healthy smile will have a huge impact on your perceived quality of life. Your smile is foundational to your level of self-esteem and your self-confidence. This impacts your personal life, your social circles, and your business encounters. At your next dental checkup ask your dentist about the shade of your teeth. An evaluation will quickly determine if a whiter shade is attainable, either at home or in the office.
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