Originally posted on: https://readytosmile.com/all-about-stains-and-teeth-whitening-services/
Tooth stains are the most common dental imperfection in the appearance of a smile. Fortunately, teeth stains are also the easiest blemishes to address.
Cosmetic dentists’ teeth whitening service can eliminate or mask imperfections, depending on each patient’s unique needs. When it comes to teeth stains, it’s all about treating the specific type of discoloration.
What are tooth stains?
When it comes to your teeth, there are a few main types of discoloration:
- Extrinsic stains
- Intrinsic stains
- Age-related discoloration
All stains can be pretty unsightly and, in most cases, don’t pose a severe threat to oral health. The best thing is to consult your professional cosmetic dentist to help diagnose your type of stain. If it is mild enough when dealing with discoloration, you may schedule an appointment for a tooth whitening procedure. But let’s first look at the details of each stain.
What Are Extrinsic Stains?
Extrinsic stains are surface stains on the outer layer of your teeth or the enamel. This enamel is a semi-translucent layer of highly-resilient mineral crystals protecting your teeth from damage and bacterial infection.
Your tooth enamel may be stained by everyday foods and drinks, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. From drinking coffee first thing in the morning to your glass of red wine at dinner, all potentially cause extrinsic staining, especially as we age.
What are Intrinsic Stains?
Intrinsic stains are on the inside of the teeth and happen when the dentin becomes discolored. Intrinsic tooth stains are more permanent than extrinsic stains. The discoloration can be caused by an injury to the mouth, using certain medications, or overexposure to fluoride.
Intrinsic tooth stains are harder to treat because they do not respond to teeth whitening like extrinsic stains. When the dentin becomes darker, there is a possibility of a more serious problem than just discolored teeth. Dental professionals should evaluate intrinsic stains for tooth decay or other oral health issues.
What is age-related discoloration?
As the teeth age, they are more susceptible to staining and discoloration. Age-related discoloration is usually just a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Patients with age-related discoloration may improve with a traditional teeth whitening service. Still, if the intrinsic discoloration is severe, they may be better suited to treatments such as dental bonding or veneers.
What is the Treatment For Tooth Stains?
Because extrinsic stains are on the outer enamel of the teeth, teeth whitening treatments are the best option to consider. Remember that over-the-counter teeth whitening products like toothpaste or whitening gels will only remove minor stains. They also may cause side effects such as sensitive teeth.
With intrinsic stains, treatment will be more in-depth. For instance, you might require internal bleaching or a root canal treatment if the pulp has severe tooth decay.
Or you may opt for cosmetic dental treatments that “cover-up” the discoloration. Patients can choose porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or dental bonding depending on the severity of the stains and how many teeth are affected. These excellent dental care solutions give you permanent white teeth and a confident smile.
