Everybody wants a brighter, whiter smile. Drugstore aisles are lined with tooth whitening and teeth stain removal products. But do they work? Before you buy, have your dentist check your teeth to see what type of tooth stains you have.
Are teeth really white?
No! Teeth naturally range in a light greyish-yellow shades. The colour of your skin, the type of clothing, even lipstick can give the illusion of a whiter smile.
Composition of a tooth
Our teeth are comprised of four dental tissues. Enamel, dentin and cementum are hard tissues. Pulp, the fourth tissue is at the centre of the tooth. It contains the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.
Three types of teeth stains
Knowing what type of stains you have will determine what type of treatments will work best.
- Intrinsic stains refer to the staining of the dentin. Dentin naturally takes a yellower or darker colour, which can be seen if the enamel wears away. This is caused by poor dental health. Because these stains originate inside your teeth, they cannot be removed by over-the-counter whitening toothpaste.
Treatment: A dentist will decide if professional bleaching treatments, bonding or capping (crowning) is the best option.
- Extrinsic stains affect the enamel. Many types of food and drink can be absorbed by enamel. Red pasta sauce, curry, berries, soda, coffee, tea and red wine are culprits. Tobacco smoked or chewed is another cause for staining.
Treatment: Because the stains are on the outer layer, a dentist usually recommends a tooth whitening toothpaste.
- Age-related teeth stains, occur as you age. Over time, the dentin darkens and enamel gets thinner.
Treatment: Whitening toothpaste will not work. Your dentist may recommend an at-home bleaching kit or professional in-office whitening treatment to remove these deeper stains. A bonding or capping may also be advised as treatment.
Learn more about tooth stain removal treatments.
In need of teeth stain removal in Brampton? Make an appointment with Dr. F. Keshavarz Dentistry Dental Office by calling (905)-791-3867 or booking online via our website today. You’ll be glad you did!
