Happy heart, healthy body, and a bright white smile– that’s everyone’s dream. The bright smile that comes with white teeth is a gateway to confidence. Amidst all the brighter teeth and bright smiles are some who only dream about it. Teeth discoloration is as common as it is unwanted.
What is Teeth Discoloration?
Teeth discoloration in plain language is the yellow color of teeth. Normal translucency, color, and the opacity of the teeth are affected, and results in dull, discolored, and patchy yellowing of teeth often occur in many people. Tooth discoloration looks bad and at times gives a negative impression. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind when seeing discolored teeth is that you don’t brush your teeth regularly.
What is the normal tooth color?
Normal tooth color depends mainly upon age, race, oral hygiene routine and diet. It also depends upon the anatomy of teeth. Three layers of teeth called enamel, dentin, and dental pulp contribute to the final color of teeth. The enamel is the outermost layer of teeth covering the inner dentin. Dentin is again a covering around the central pulp which is pinkish due to its vascularity.
Media has, however, defined the normal color of healthy teeth as pure white. Pure white shining teeth shown in the Television commercials is now the goal of every individual irrespective of the fact that heavy editing might be the reason behind. The degree of white is variable from person to person depending upon the factors listed above.
What are the causes of tooth discoloration?
Most important is the lifestyle and diet. Drinking too much coffee, tea, alcohol, and smoking for years puts your teeth prone to discoloration. Similarly, poor oral hygiene is a significant factor and leads to discoloration quickly. Chromogenic bacteria like actinomyces, cardiobacterium, and homophilous also cause extrinsic discoloration of teeth. Certain drugs, for example, tetracycline which is an antibiotic is notorious for tooth discoloration. Genetic disorders and aging are one of the strong reasons as well.
How does smoking cause tooth discoloration?
Smoking is one of the most common factors of tooth discoloration. Caffeine and nicotine tend to stain your teeth and over time, making it almost impossible to keep your teeth from discoloration by merely brushing and cleaning. Tar present in the tobacco makes blackish-brown stains around the teeth neck. Similarly, betel chewing stains the teeth and gives a discolored look.
I suffered from a face trauma some time back. Can I develop discolored teeth?
Trauma may or may not result in tooth discoloration. Immediate reddish discoloration after dental injuries is quite common due to excessive blood supply at the roots of teeth. But, if the pulp necrosis occurs as a result of severe trauma, your teeth may show discoloration after a longer period. Association of tooth discoloration, however, is not always associated with dental trauma.
Tooth discoloration is reversible or not?
Tooth discoloration is reversible or not is dependent on the cause of discoloration. Most of the extrinsic discoloration is reversible especially by reversing the cause of yellowing. It also depends upon the duration of discolorations. Some of the discolorations are too old and stubborn and need special teeth whitening techniques to cure. Some of the examples of reversible tooth discoloration are bacterial infections, recently adopted smoking habits, and avoiding topical medications which cause yellowing of teeth, for example, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. Lifetime Dental can solve all your problems related to tooth discoloration.
What is tooth whitening?
The process of whitening of discolored teeth is called teeth whitening. It is a very popular phenomenon nowadays, and some people try to get their teeth whitening done professionally to give them a confident smile. A professional teeth whitening is a more effective and more reliable way because dentists tend to perform the procedures which are suitable in the long term.
What are the methods of tooth whitening?
You can whiten your teeth at home using some over the counter treatment kits. Dentists offer professional teeth whitening by scaling and polishing your teeth and advise for a healthy lifestyle, eating habits and good oral hygiene routine later on.
What are other options for teeth whitening other than scaling and polishing?
Apart from the usual scaling and polishing of teeth, dental clinics offer other procedures as well that are more effective and have long-lasting results. Some of the other techniques used for teeth whitening are dental crowns, porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, and power bleaching. Lifetime Dental can provide you with all the information you need to know more aboutteeth whitening techniques.
How can I prevent tooth discoloration?
Prevention of teeth discoloration begins very early in life. Parents have a vital role to play in this regard. Developing a healthy oral hygiene routine in the early years of life is the most effective way of preventing teeth from getting discolored. Such individuals tend to keep brushing and cleaning their teeth regularly for the rest of their lives and their teeth appear to stay brighter for longer durations later in life.
A healthy diet and lifestyle is another very important way to prevent teeth discoloration. Having more berries is known to cause brighter teeth with a course of time. Avoiding alcohol and smoking is one good way to prevent your teeth from getting yellow or grey discoloration and at the same time avoiding many other health issues.
Have more queries on Teeth Discoloration? We are just a call away!
