In the quest to keep your smile looking fresh, young, and healthy, minimizing dental discoloration is key. In this short article, our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists are going to be reviewing some of the most common causes of dental staining. We hope that this gives you a good idea of you can protect your smile day to day.
We all have different tooth shades naturally, and when our enamel is healthy, our teeth look bright and shiny. However, over time, our enamel can become compromised for a number of reasons:
Staining Substances
Deeply colored foods and drinks—red wine, coffee, tea, red sauces, and more—can leave color deposits on your teeth over time. Additionally, tobacco products of all kinds are highly staining. It is important to rinse your smile after eating or drinking, and keep up with your at-home oral hygiene routine in order to minimize environmental stains.
Enamel Deterioration
The layer of tooth under the enamel is called the dentin, and it is naturally darker and yellower in color than enamel. So, as the outer layer of your tooth begins to wear down, more of your dentin may show through, thus making your smile look darker. Acidic substances and oral bacteria are the key culprits when it comes to enamel thinning.
Dental Damage
You may notice that your tooth starts to look dark if you suffer from dental trauma, like an accident, or if you develop a dental cavity. If you notice spots developing on your teeth, it is time to talk to your dental team about restorative treatment and future preventive measures you can take.
Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists will tailor your treatment protocol to address the root cause your type of discoloration. The best way to get started is to give our office a call to schedule a personal consultation. You can also use the Contact Us page on our site to submit an inquiry. We look forward to speaking with you!