As we go through life, it’s natural for our smiles to change, especially when it comes to color. But what causes teeth discoloration in the first place? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Here’s how our team at Aspire Dental Wellness can help.
From at-home solutions to effective laser treatments, our team, led by Dr. Sladjana Bjelac, offers plenty of options to brighten up that smile. We’re dedicated to creating personalized treatment plans for each and every patient. After all, our smiles are unique – so the ways we take care of them should be, too.
Discoloration of Teeth – What Is It Exactly?
From grayish to pale ivory, the natural shade of teeth can vary greatly. However, if there are significant, noticeable changes in their color, this is considered tooth discoloration. Most commonly, they darken in color, but white or dark spots can also develop in certain places.
What Causes Discoloration of Teeth?
The reasons behind your pearly whites losing their shine are many, from something as natural as aging to something completely avoidable, like smoking. Here are the most common causes:
- Aging – the tooth enamel gets thinner throughout the years, exposing the yellowish dentin underneath,
- Genetics – tooth brightness and translucency is a genetic trait, and therefore, it varies from person to person,
- Oral hygiene – not sticking to the oral hygiene routine can lead to plaque buildup, which can change the color of your smile,
- Dietary habits – teeth discoloration due to vitamin deficiency, drinking coffee, and eating dark-colored foods is fairly common,
- Smoking – changes in tooth color are much more common among people who smoke and use other tobacco products,
- Dental injury – falls and sport-related injuries can cause sudden discoloration of teeth due to the impact,
- Certain medications – medication for asthma and high blood pressure, as well as some antibiotics, can cause yellow teeth even if you’re brushing and flossing each day.
The Types of Discoloration Between Teeth
Now that you know the possible causes of yellowing teeth, it will be easier to understand the distinction between the two types of discoloration – extrinsic and intrinsic. The first type affects the outer layer, enamel, and develops from things like smoking and the diet.
On the other hand, intrinsic discoloration starts on the inside, usually due to certain medications or dental injury, and it affects the layer beneath the enamel, known as dentin.
How to Fix Teeth Discoloration
Finally, we’ve reached the moment of truth – is there anything you can do to get rid of yellowing teeth? Yes, absolutely! Teeth whitening is totally a thing! From whitening strips to advanced laser dentistry, there are plenty of ways to brighten up that smile.
Obviously, having your chosen Charlotte dentist in SouthPark to help is much better than trying out random over-the-counter products. But if you’re set on whitening strips or toothpaste, make sure there’s the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance on them. It’s a good idea to still consult your dentist and see if they can recommend a particular product, especially if you have sensitive teeth.
Aspire Dental Wellness Offers Convenient At-Home Whitening
We get it – you’d much rather do this at home than sit in the dental chair, and that’s why those whitening strips look so tempting. But there’s good news – our team at Aspire Dental Wellness offers Home Whitening, a solution that will help you brighten up your smile from the comfort of your own home.
With Home Whitening, you’ll get a custom-made retainer. The treatment will last only two weeks, and you’ll only have to wear the retainer at night. So, why search high and low for the perfect whitening product when our dentist in Charlotte, NC, can craft it for you?
Our Advanced Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, Offers Only the Best
Sensitive teeth are a common side effect of whitening, especially if you’re experimenting with different products or overdoing it. And while professional whitening was quite intense in the past, modern dentistry is changing this with new methods and cutting-edge technologies.
Aspire Dental Wellness offers numerous options for brightening up your smile, all of which are both gentle and effective. First off, there’s the TouchWhite™ Fotona, a dental laser treatment that shows immediate results even for stubborn discoloration.
Secondly, our practice of cosmetic dentistry in Charlotte, NC, offers MAX Whitening. It’s literally the best of both worlds – you’ll get an in-office session, but you’ll also be taking a custom kit back home with you.
Last but not least, we even offer options for more complex cases – ULTRA Whitening for advanced discoloration and ULTRA T Whitening for tetracycline cases. With the power of laser dentistry, there’s no stain we can’t solve!
And if you’re trying to achieve a specific look, we also offer veneers and dental crowns. We’ll make sure to find the perfect solution – you’re in for a smile makeover like no other!
Schedule an Appointment to Find the Best Brightening Solution
Having a dazzling smile should not be taken for granted. Various surveys show that it’s the first thing most people notice when meeting another person, and it’s only natural to want to leave a good first impression. If you’re looking for the safest and most effective option to get your pearly whites back, Aspire Dental Wellness should be your next stop. Contact us today, and let’s figure out what works best for your smile!
