Why Are My Teeth Getting Darker Over Time?
A bright, youthful smile inspires confidence. A dull, lackluster one? Not so much. Read on to learn why teeth get darker as you age.
Can You Make My Teeth White?
Your smile is one of the first things people see. So naturally, the color of your teeth set the tone in social situations. If your teeth are dull or discolored, it can make you self-conscious.
Dr. J.A. Duval, of Duval Orthodontics, offers professional teeth whitening treatments in Warner Robins and Albany, Georgia. If you’re considering teeth whitening, keep reading to find out how our team can help.
Common causes of tooth discoloration
Before we dive deeper into teeth whitening, let’s cover some reasons why your teeth may have lost some brightness and whiteness.
Tooth discoloration, whether it’s yellowing or another color, most commonly happens from stains, poor oral hygiene, and aging.
Poor oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque build-up. When your teeth accumulate plaque, not only does it make it easier for staining particles to anchor to your teeth, it also encourages bacteria to hitch a ride.
As bacteria build-up, they create acids from the food and drinks you consume. This acid leads to tooth decay, which thins your enamel and leads to cavities.
Staining
Another common cause of tooth discoloration is staining. Tooth stains can be either intrinsic or extrinsic.
Extrinsic stains affect the surface of your tooth. An extrinsic stain can appear for many reasons. Drinking or eating dark foods and drinks, such as coffee or wine, or using tobacco are common culprits. The particles in dark drinks and foods and substances latch onto your enamel, resulting in staining and discoloration.
Intrinsic tooth stains occur beneath the enamel. These types of stains aren’t as common. They are often caused by trauma to your teeth, disease, or from certain medications.
Age-related
Age-related stains are a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Over time, your dentin, the layer under your enamel, yellows. In addition, your enamel thins. These factors often result in yellow or discolored teeth.
For many people, their genetics play a crucial part in tooth discoloration. Everyone’s smile is unique. And you may naturally have thinner enamel than others.
Professional teeth whitening treatments
At Duval Orthodontics, Dr. Duval can restore your teeth’s natural shine, regardless of the type of stain. He offers two types of teeth whitening options: in-office and at-home whitening.
In-office whitening
Having your teeth whitened in-office provides the most noticeable results, and it can be achieved in just one hour. First, Dr. Duval carefully applies a protective coating over your gums. That helps prevent the bleaching solution from irritating them.
If you have deeper intrinsic stains, Dr. Duval may use a special type of light that boosts the effectiveness of the whitening solution. The light helps the solution reach deeper into your enamel to break up stubborn, tough stains.
At-home whitening kits
If you prefer to do the whitening yourself, Dr. Duval can create a custom whitening kit for home use. He makes a tray that matches the shape and contour of your teeth and smile, resulting in a snug, comfortable fit.
Your kit also contains a professional-grade bleaching solution that you use to fill up your tray. Each day, you wear it for one hour. After a few weeks, your teeth regain their natural luster. While this option takes longer than in-office treatments, you have complete control over the whitening process.
Avoid store-bought whitening kits
Store-bought whitening kits may be cheap and easy to access, but they can do more harm than good, with less desirable results.
The kits you buy from the store aren’t conformed to your smile. They can slip around, and the tray can damage your gum tissue. The solution can also come into contact with your gums, worsening the irritation.
You may also have minor dental problems that you aren’t aware of. In most cases, your dentist makes sure your teeth and gums are healthy before whitening treatment. The main reason being, if you have a cavity or gum disease, the bleaching solution can cause plenty of pain and irritation.
Restore your teeth’s vibrant glow
If the color of your teeth are making you feel self-conscious about your smile, then professional teeth whitening at Duval Orthodontics may be right for you.
To learn more about our in-office and at-home whitening procedures, schedule your consultation with Dr. Duval by phone or by booking an appointment online.
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