When your smile looks bright and white, you feel confident showing it off. However, sometimes dental stains, discoloration, and dullness mar an otherwise attractive smile. Why do these kinds of aesthetic issues develop? Our Tinley Park cosmetic dentists are here to fill you in.
Natural dental shades vary from patient to patient. In general, however, healthy and young enamel is some shade of white and fairly glossy and luminous. Over time, dental enamel can change in appearance for a number of reasons:
Food and drinks leave color deposits on the dental surface over time. Richly colored foods and beverages, like red wine, berries, chocolate, pasta sauce, and more, can stain a patient’s teeth—these are called environmental stains.
Your tooth structure may change over time, and this will lead your tooth to appear a different color. If, for example, your dental enamel starts to thin, more of the yellow dentin that lays under the enamel will show through to the surface of the tooth. Consequently, your tooth will appear darker, yellower, and duller.
Sometimes specific teeth sustain serious damage, so that the tooth root is compromised. In these cases, a tooth may take on a gray or brown appearance.
The key to successfully treating dental discoloration is to first figure out the root cause of the discoloration. Environmental stains, for example, are often effectively treated with topical whitening treatments. While other types of discoloration may be more effectively treated with dental bonding or customized veneers.
The important thing to remember is that no matter what the current state of your smile, our Orland Park cosmetic dentists have treatments that can help you enjoy a white and bright smile again. The best way to get started is to give our office a call to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to live with unsightly discoloration for long!