Wondering if you have perfectly white teeth? Tooth color can be quite subjective and it can be hard for many people to figure out whether their teeth whitening products are working or not. In fact, even professional dentists disagree on what constitutes white teeth.
However, if your teeth start turning yellow or becoming discolored, this can be a cause of concern for you. There are a lot of reasons why teeth start staining. At Rho Family Dentistry, Jeffrey J. Rho, DDS and can help you determine the various types of tooth stains and their treatments.
ExtrinsicTooth Stains
Extrinsic tooth stains develop on the outer surface or the enamel of your teeth. These occur when tiny stain particles from food or tobacco stick to the biofilm that covers your enamel.
Fortunately, we can get rid of these yellow, red, and brown tooth stains with a simple teeth whitening procedure and regular dental cleaning.
Intrinsic Tooth Stains
Intrinsic tooth stains develop below the surface of your teeth. This happens when stains work their way inside the tooth over time and cause discoloration. Intrinsic tooth stains are also associated with excess fluoride use, particularly in children as well as the use of certain medication. Trauma to the teeth that kills the tooth nerve can also cause a discolored tooth.
Intrinsic tooth stains are trickier to remove than extrinsic tooth stains since they are not likely to respond to whitening treatments. Instead, we may recommend a bonding procedure and veneers to hide these stains. Teeth that have a dead nerve may require root canal treatment and will be protected by a crown.
Age-Related Tooth Stains
As you age, your enamel becomes thinner and starts to show the underlying yellow or grey dentin. In addition, the effect of consuming dark-pigmented food, using tobacco, and not exercising good oral hygiene can all result in progressive tooth stains that become noticeable as you age.
At Rho Family Dentistry, we can help you fight all these types of stains. If you are concerned about the aesthetics of your smile, call us today at (916) 562-2755 to schedule an appointment with us.
Rho Family Dentistry, 2525 K Street, Suite 108 Sacramento, CA 95816 - (916) 562-2755 - rhofamilydentistry.com - 12/3/2024 - Associated Words: dentist Sacramento CA -