Teeth Whitening with Your Powell Dentist
Tooth discoloration is the most common imperfection in the appearance of a smile. Fortunately for everyone, teeth stains can also be the easiest blemishes to address.
When it comes to stained teeth, the most important part is understanding and treating the specific type of discoloration.
What are The Three Types of Tooth Stains?
There are three main types of discoloration:
- Extrinsic stains
- Intrinsic stains
- Age-related discoloration
Each stain can be unsightly but, in most cases, doesn’t threaten your oral health. The best thing to do is consult your Powell dentist to help diagnose what type of stain you have. You may schedule an appointment to learn about the Opalescence Go teeth whitening procedure if it is mild discoloration.
Let’s first look at the different types of stains.
What Are Extrinsic Stains?
Extrinsic stains are stains on the outer layer of your teeth called the enamel. This enamel is a semi-translucent layer of solid mineral crystals that protect your teeth from bacterial infection and damage.
Tooth enamel can be stained by certain foods and drinks, regular smoking, and poor oral hygiene. Drinking coffee in the morning to your glass of red wine at dinner potentially cause extrinsic stains, especially as we age.
What are Intrinsic Stains?
Intrinsic stains happen on the interior of the teeth when the dentin pulp becomes discolored. Several factors can cause discoloration. Sometimes it can be from an injury to the mouth, certain medications, or overexposure to fluoride.
Intrinsic tooth stains are more permanent and harder to treat as they do not respond to teeth whitening. Sometimes when the dentin darkens, it may indicate a more severe problem. Your Powell dentist must evaluate your intrinsic stains for tooth decay or other potential oral health problems.
What is Age-Related Discoloration?
As we age, our teeth age and become more susceptible to staining and discoloration. Discoloration is usually a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Older patients may improve with a traditional teeth whitening treatment. Still, if the inherent discoloration is severe, cosmetic dental treatments such as dental bonding or veneers may better suit them.
What is the Treatment For Tooth Stains?
Because extrinsic stains are on the outer layer of the teeth, a whitening treatment is the best option to consider. Remember that over-the-counter teeth whitening products like whitening toothpaste or even whitening strips and gels will only remove minor stains and usually cause tooth sensitivity.
Treatment for intrinsic stains is much more in-depth. For example, you might require internal bleaching or a root canal treatment if there is severe decay.
Or you may opt for cosmetic dentistry treatments that “cover-up” the discoloration. Luckily patients can choose from various cosmetic dental treatments like porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or dental bonding. These procedures give you permanent white teeth and a confident smile.
Visit Your Powell Dentist For Teeth Whitening
Dr. Wu recommends using the Opalescence Go teeth whitening solution. It is a professional alternative to in-office whitening and over-the-counter products. It does not require impressions or custom trays.
Talk to your dentist at Liberty Family Smiles, your practice for Opalescence Go teeth whitening procedures in Powell, Ohio. We will evaluate your teeth stains, give you some oral health tips and choose the best option for the whitest, brightest smile.
