Every patient wants to maintain a white
and bright smile into adulthood. However, many patients find that they have an
increasingly difficult time refreshing their teeth as they age. At-home teeth
whitening treatments may become less effective, and brushing and flossing may
not have the same whitening and brightening effective that they once had. The
truth is that adult dental enamel is not the same as younger, fresh enamel.
Consequently, it becomes more and more difficult to restore the luminous
appearance of young teeth.
When teeth are relatively new they have
a layer of thick, strong, white dental enamel that protects the inner core of
the tooth. This enamel covers a darker layer of a material called dentin, which
sits directly below it in the inner tooth. As teeth age they begin to wear down
due to normal use. Consequently, the layer of dental enamel becomes more
translucent, and it becomes possible to see dentin through the enamel. This is
why teeth appear darker and yellow with age—the physical structure of the tooth
is actually changing.
At the same time certain environmental
factors discolor dental enamel—meaning that the enamel becomes stained even as
it becomes thinner and darker in appearance. Some common causes of dental
discoloration are drinks like soda, coffee, tea, and red wine. Foods such as
deeply colored berries and dark chocolate may also stain teeth. Additionally
tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, leave dark
streaks on enamel. These environmental stains may initially be treatable with
at-home teeth whitening options, toothpaste, and mouthwash. However, over time
these stains compound and become more difficult to whiten.
The good news is that with modern
cosmetic dentistry many patients can achieve whiter, younger-looking smiles
despite biological and environmental staining. Professional teeth whitening
treatments, for instance, use more powerful formulations than at-home
treatments. Professional treatments can whiten many teeth that have been
resistant to other whitening treatments. Cosmetic veneers can also be applied
directly over stained enamel, effectively resurfacing the appearance of dark
teeth with white porcelain.
Our Bloomingdale teeth whitening dentists can help you find a solution that’s right for you depending on the
extent of your dental discoloration, your cosmetic goals, and your timeline.
Although we cannot completely prevent dental staining, we can treat it using
modern cosmetic dentistry. Give our Bloomingdale teeth whitening dentists a
call if you’d like more information or to discuss your case in greater detail—(630)
994-5174.