One fairly common dental flaw that many people deal with is stains. You might have some on your smile, but knowing about them can help you learn more about what you should do to get rid of them. It might be easy to imagine there’s not much to them, but there are different types of discoloration. Here’s all about this dental imperfection and what your dentist can do to perfect your grin.
Extrinsic Stains: Surface Tinting
Out of the two types of stains out there, extrinsic ones are some many people have. While your enamel might feel completely solid, there are tiny pores in it. Dark particles from certain foods (like coffee, berries, and red wine) and smoking can find their way into these spaces and hang out. After a while, you may start to notice a yellow tint developing.
While this type of discoloration might seem tough to avoid since it can be caused by several things, you can do your part in avoiding it. Brushing and flossing twice daily can remove plaque that can hold onto pigments. Drinking water after having dark items can also wash away any lingering pigments. A straw for beverages can help reduce how often they come into contact with your teeth as well.
Intrinsic Stains: Discoloration Deeper Down
Stains that are found deeper in your tooth underneath your enamel are called intrinsic ones. These are often caused by genetics, decay, and certain medications, to name a few culprits. Regardless, these often don’t respond to whitening, so you may need another treatment to get your desired results.
What Can I Do to Get a Bright Smile?
As was hinted above, there are several cosmetic dental services that can get you to an aesthetic smile you love. These are popular choices you can consider:
- Professional whitening is often the go-to for stains. It uses high-quality bleaching gel and custom trays that sit over your smile. The agent will break down discoloration on and within your enamel, giving you up to an eight-shade difference in just about two weeks.
- Veneers can be great if the tinting you have is a bit more stubborn. These are thin, durable shells bonded to the front of your teeth, hiding away a wide range of flaws at once. That way, you get a dramatic transformation you love.
- Direct bonding is a good choice if it’s just a tooth or two that’s the trouble. Using composite resin, your dentist will sculpt it over imperfections to cover them.
In the end, no matter the type of tooth stains you have, your dentist is here to help you get to a confident grin you love.
About the Practice
At Amberly Dental, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Tim Vacek and Dr. Paige Hull. We are dedicated to helping the Waverly community get the aesthetic set of teeth they love with cosmetic dentistry. By tailoring a plan to your goals, we can get you to your desired results effectively. If you want a solution for your dental discoloration, schedule an appointment or call our office at (402) 786-2007.