Our Bloomingdale teeth whitening dentists are always hearing the same question from patients—how can I get a whiter smile again? As patients age, their teeth naturally change, and they often end up appearing darker, yellower, and more worn down. Although regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits can keep your smile healthy and clean, some discoloration is a natural by-product of aging and to a certain extent unavoidable.

The good news is that cosmetic dentistry treatments can help restore your white, bright smile with minimal time and effort. If any of these cosmetic problems sound like your situation, don’t hesitate to contact a dental professional to refresh your smile.

Environmental discoloration—some patients find that their teeth become stained and darker due to the foods and drinks they consume. Tea, coffee, and cola are common culprits that discolor dental enamel over time. Additionally, tobacco products—both smoking and chewing tobacco—can make teeth appear dark and dirty.

Structural changes to dental enamel—many people notice that as they age their teeth become dramatically darker or yellower. Young dental enamel is white, bright, and strong, which is why young teeth appear so sparkling white. As we age, however, dental enamel becomes thinner and wears down, exposing the yellow layer of dentin below the enamel. Consequently, teeth take on more of dentin’s color and look yellow and dark.

These problems are not totally preventable, but they are treatable. Professional teeth bleaching treatments can lighten stains, and porcelain veneers resurface the appearance of dull, worn down enamel. If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry, give our Bloomingdale teeth whitening dentists a call to find out how you can whiten your teeth and take years off of your smile. Give us a call at (630) 994-5174.