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Are you wondering why you are experiencing discolored teeth and what you can do to make them lighter again? Dentist Katrin provides you with all the information you need to know in this article.
Yellowed or discolored teeth can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people have a naturally light color, while others have darker tones. We are all equipped differently. Over time, the enamel can wear thinner, making the underlying dentin, which has a naturally yellowish color, more visible through it. In addition to the color being muted due to natural aging and wear, pigments from various types of food and beverages, snuff, and smoking can make the teeth appear darker than before. These pigments can cause superficial discoloration of the teeth, and much of this can be removed by your dental hygienist or dentist through a professional cleaning. If you feel this is not enough, you can discuss with your dentist/dental hygienist whether teeth whitening is right for you.
Many people experience that their teeth develop a grayish tint as the years go by. This color change is completely natural, but there are measures you can take to minimize or delay it. As with most dental health challenges, good oral hygiene is a great start to avoiding or removing tooth discoloration. This includes:
An examination with us includes thorough teeth cleaning using AirFlow and ultrasonic scalers or hand instruments to remove tartar, plaque, and superficial discoloration that cannot be removed through regular brushing. AirFlow is a mixture of salt, water, and added flavoring that, with the help of compressed air, washes away all surface discoloration on the teeth. If you desire more frequent cleaning, you can also book thorough teeth cleaning or an AirFlow fresh-up for yourself.
To avoid discoloration, one can be careful with foods and beverages that contain strong pigments, such as coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and tobacco.
Some toothpastes promise whiter teeth. While they can help remove superficial discoloration, they will never be able to bleach your teeth. Moreover, one should be cautious with toothpastes that contain too many abrasives, as they can damage the enamel.
Removing discoloration from the surface of the teeth (teeth cleaning and AirFlow) will yield a brighter and fresher result, but it will not be able to remove discoloration that has settled deeper in the teeth. If you desire an even whiter result, teeth whitening may be an option. Only dental health professionals are allowed to whiten teeth and can use agents that actually work and are safe for you. Before we start a teeth whitening treatment with us, we will assess your teeth and oral health, and ensure that your teeth are healthy enough. Furthermore, the treatment always begins with cleaning and removing tartar before we take impressions of your teeth and create individually tailored whitening trays. You will take these trays home, along with the whitening agent.
Read more about professional teeth whitening with us here.
Discoloration of teeth is among the most common concerns our patients bring up. During an examination with us, we will be able to provide you with personalized guidance and information on how to best maintain your oral health at home. Here, we can also answer any questions you may have about tooth discoloration.