Tooth discoloration is a common dental concern we treat. Many of our patients suffer from low self-esteem because of this issue. It can keep you from smiling, speaking and generally excelling in life due to embarrassment. There are many reasons people may develop discolored, yellow, or stained teeth. Thankfully, Dr. Elizabeth Duling offers several treatments to help patients achieve a brighter smile.
Why Do I have Discolored Teeth?
There are several reasons people develop dull, yellow teeth:
- Poor Oral Hygiene Habits: If you fail to take care of your teeth, it can easily cause them to discolor, stain, and start to decay. Teeth should be brushed and flossed every day. You also need to visit your Owens Cross Roads, AL dentist office twice a year for a cleaning that will help remove tough stains.
- Certain Foods and Drinks: There are certain foods and drinks that can cause your teeth to stain easily. Constantly consuming them will darken your teeth over time. We recommend cutting back on these items or eliminating them altogether. This includes tea, red wine, coffee, dark red berries, dark sauces, etc.
- Smoking and other Tobacco Products: Using tobacco of any kind is a very bad habit. It is terrible for your health and it will make your teeth look horrible as well.
While these are the most common reasons people suffer from stained teeth, there are other causes. Certain medications and types of diseases can also stain your teeth.
Discolored Teeth Treatment
No matter the cause of your tooth discoloration, we offer a treatment to fix the issue. When you visit our Owens Cross Roads, AL dentist office, Dr. Duling will analyze your smile to determine which treatment option is best for you.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Having your teeth professionally whitened by a dentist is an affordable way to brighten your smile. Dr. Duling offers a take-home teeth whitening kit that will deliver superior results compared to store-bought products. It involves placing whitening gel in a tray and placing it on your teeth for a certain amount of time.
Dental Bonding
If your teeth do not respond to professional teeth whitening, another affordable method to hide stains is dental bonding. This method is not permanent however will produce great results. Dental bonding uses a composite material that your dentist will place over a tooth and shape by hand. Essentially, they will use the material to hide any tooth imperfections including tooth discoloration.
Porcelain Veneers
If you are looking for a more permanent solution, you can go with porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that your dentist will bond to the front of your teeth to hide stains and discoloration. This solution requires removing a small amount of your tooth’s surface to create room for the veneers. For this reason, they are considered permanent.
Which tooth discoloration treatment is best for me?
This really depends on the type of stain you have and the results you are looking for. Tough stains may not respond to teeth whitening. In this case, your dentist will recommend porcelain veneers or dental bonding. If you desire a complete smile makeover that includes more than simply whitening your teeth, porcelain veneers would be the way to go. This option will also deliver the longest-lasting results.