Yellow teeth and stained teeth are common cosmetic dental problems many people face. Dr. Alan Dechter and Dr. Matthew Moy are cosmetic dentists that offer several solutions for tooth discoloration in Silver Spring, MD.
Types of Teeth Stains
There are two basic types of teeth stains. Extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains can both contribute to discolored teeth.
Extrinsic Teeth Stains
An extrinsic stain is a stain on the outermost layer of the tooth. Lifestyle choices are the main cause of extrinsic stains which are typically easy to treat. Common causes of extrinsically stained teeth include tobacco, coffee, tea, soda, berries, and other foods with strong colors in them. When used or consumed in excess, these things can cause stained or discolored enamel and yellow teeth.
Intrinsic Teeth Stains
Intrinsic stains are stains in the inside layer of the tooth, known as dentin. A few things cause this type of stain including too much fluoride, trauma to the tooth, tooth decay, disease, and certain medications. Intrinsic stains are much harder to treat since they are deep within the tooth. While extrinsic stains appear evenly over a majority of the teeth, intrinsic stains may only affect a small portion of a tooth or just a single tooth.
How to Fix Stained teeth
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy provide their patients with several types of treatments to fix stained teeth in Silver Spring, MD. This includes both in-office and at-home professional teeth whitening treatments. Additionally, they offer dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental bonding to fix discolored teeth than cannot be fixed with a whitening treatment.
Most extrinsic tooth stains can be fixed with professional teeth whitening. However, intrinsic stains are much harder to address. In these cases, Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy will recommend a more permanent treatment such as dental veneers, crowns, or bonding. These treatments will not eliminate the stain but will instead cover them up.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tooth Discoloration
How do teeth become stained?
Common causes of teeth discoloration include tobacco use, coffee, tea, red wine, berries, certain medications, certain diseases, overuse of fluoride, tooth decay, and injury to a tooth.
Why are my teeth yellow?
Heavy smoking or certain foods and drinks are often the cause of yellow teeth. Most people who are heavy smokers will have yellow teeth. Additionally, many types of foods can cause this including berries, heavy tomato-based sauces, dark spices, and much more. Furthermore, drinks high in tannins can cause it. These include coffee, red wine, and black tea.
Does coffee stain your teeth?
Coffee is one of the leading causes of stained teeth. It contains a high level of tannins which is an ingredient that causes color compounds to stick to your teeth. Consuming a lot of coffee will often lead to yellow teeth.
How do I remove nicotine stains from my teeth?
In most patients, professional teeth whitening will remove the nicotine stains from their teeth. However, there are things you can do to remove tobacco stains at home. First, be sure to brush and floss regularly. Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing and reducing teeth stains.
You can create a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water until it forms a thick consistency. Use this paste to brush your teeth gently for a few minutes. Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and can help remove surface stains.
You can also remove tobacco stains from dental prosthetics like dentures and veneers. Start by rinsing your dentures under warm water to remove any loose debris. Then, create a denture cleaning solution with equal parts water and vinegar. Vinegar has stain-removing properties that can be effective in removing tobacco stains.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or denture brush to gently scrub the dentures with the cleaning solution. Brush all surfaces of the dentures, focusing on the areas with visible tobacco stains. Lastly, rinse the dentures thoroughly under running water to remove the cleaning solution. Quitting smoking is the most effective way to prevent future nicotine stains and improve your overall oral health.
Book Your Consultation for Tooth Discoloration Treatment in Silver Spring, MD.
During a cosmetic consultation, Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy will analyze your teeth and ask you about your lifestyle habits. This will help them determine the type of tooth discoloration you have and the best way to treat it. Schedule your appointment today by calling (301) 508-9755 or by requesting an appointment online.