Our Orland Park dentists know that keeping your teeth sparkling white and clean looking can sometimes feel like a full time job. As we age and our teeth accumulate wear and tear, dental stains and discoloration can mar a previously sparkling smile. Thanks to the wonders of modern cosmetic dentistry patients today have more options than ever when looking to brighten their teeth. However, the best scenario is always to prevent discoloration before it takes hold of your smile. Today we’ll be talking about some reasons why teeth become darker.
Environmental Factors
Certain foods and drinks can stain teeth over time. Foods like rich berries, chocolates, and saturated sauces may put your enamel at risk. Popular drinks like wine, colas, coffees, and teas may also darken teeth. In order to minimize staining, try to rinse your mouth with water after consuming a discoloring substance. It’s also important to maintain regularly scheduled dental cleanings to remove enamel stains why they’re still fresh.
Age Related Stains
As patients age their teeth may become darker naturally. Young dental enamel is white and luminous, but as we age our dental enamel thins, revealing more of the dark dentin that lies underneath. Conventional whitening treatments may not be as effective for this problem compared to environment stains, so discuss cosmetic options with your dentist if you’re worried about thinning enamel.
Developmental Problems with Adult Teeth
There are some conditions, which affect children with developing, which can cause discoloration or stains on permanent teeth. Dental fluorosis, for example, is caused when children with developing adult teeth consume too much fluoride. These children can develop adult teeth with pits and stains embedded in them. Again, these conditions may be resistant to conventional whitening treatments.
If you feel that your smile is looking dull or dark, you don’t have to live with a discolored smile. Give our Orland Park teeth whitening dental office a call to learn about your cosmetic options or schedule a consultation.