Top Reasons Why Teeth Become Stained or Yellow

One of the most coveted attributes of a pretty smile is white teeth. White teeth can boost your self-confidence and even take years off your appearance. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to retain a white smile as you age. Teeth can dull, stain or discolor for a variety of reasons, some of which you can control and some you cannot.

Why Do Teeth Lose Their White?

Just like your clothes or your fingernails, your teeth can become discolored from external substances. This is known as extrinsic staining, which is the most common type of tooth stain and also the easiest to reverse. Teeth whitening from your dentist is an ideal choice if you have stained teeth due to the following:

• Foods/Drinks. (coffee, tea, colas, wines, sports drinks, sauces and dark berries)
• Tobacco Use (smoking or chewing tobacco)
• Poor Dental Hygiene

When Staining Comes from Within

While extrinsic teeth staining presents itself on the outer layer of your teeth, there are other types of discoloration that develop when the internal structures of your teeth are affected. There are several diseases and medications that can lead to stubborn teeth staining, including certain antibiotics as a young child and chemotherapy or radiation involving the neck.

The natural aging process is another top reason for a dull or lackluster smile. As we get older, the white enamel layer of our teeth can wear down. This reveals the inner dentin layer underneath, which is more yellow in color. It is also possible for some people to inherit their thin enamel.

Lastly, a tooth can darken and discolor when it suffers trauma. In fact, a gray tooth can indicate a dying tooth in some cases. Severe decay or infection in a tooth can also alter the color of a tooth.

While it is more challenging to remove intrinsic stains with teeth whitening, it doesn’t mean you have to live with your discolored smile. There are many other options in cosmetic dentistry to restore brightness to your teeth. As long as the tooth is healthy, a cosmetic dentist can offer tooth-colored bonding, porcelain veneers or other treatments to hide stubborn staining.

At Green Dental of Alexandria, we proudly offer some of the most advanced and effective teeth whitening systems, along with a full menu of options in cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile appearance. If you want to brighten your smile for spring, call our office today – and don’t forget to ask about our “Free Whitening For Life”!