Got Stains: Teeth Whitening Can Help

When it comes to teeth whitening there are two types of stains that can experience results. This is those with extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Consider the difference in both to see which best describes your teeth situation.

The first is extrinsic stains which are those that occur on the surface of teeth. These are typically due to exposure to dark colored beverages, foods, tobacco and routine wear and tear. Extrinsic stains are typically minor and can be easily removed with brushing or a good dental cleaning. More involved efforts such as teeth bleaching can be used to remove stubborn surface stains. If extrinsic stains remain they can eventually penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained. This is why it is important to deal with extrinsic stains early.

Second are intrinsic stains which are those that occur on the interior of the teeth. These stains are typically the result of trauma, aging, exposure to minerals such as tetracycline during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride. At one time it was believed that intrinsic stains were too difficult to remove from bleaching. However, cosmetic dentistry has expanded and now intrinsic stains can be removed with home whitening kits that can be used for a period of months to maybe even a year.

Before you choose a teeth whitening system it is also helpful to determine what is causing your teeth stains. This way you can find a product that is best able to target the cause of your teeth stains in order to get the best results.

The first cause of teeth staining is simply age. Tooth color is often directly correlated to age. Teeth will darken over the years as individual’s age due to wear and tear as well as stain accumulation. Teenagers who undergo teeth whitening will experience the most immediate and dramatic results. Those in their twenties will start to notice a yellow tinge and teeth whitening may require a bit more effort. By the forties most individuals start noticing the yellow giving way to a brown color. By your fifties stains have been absorbed the deepest and require the most effort to clean.

There are also genetic traits which can make color and staining more pronounced as you age. All teeth show some translucency, but those that are either opaque or thick will have a better advantage since they appear lighter in color and are generally more responsive to bleaching. However, if your teeth are thinner and more transparent they will have less pigment to work with for bleaching. If your teeth are too transparent then there may be no form of teeth whitening that can correct the issue.

Then there are daily habits such as eating, smoking, drugs and chemicals which can affect tooth color. If you routinely consume red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other colored beverages or food then staining can become worse over the years. Also acidic foods like citrus fruits and vinegar can lead to an erosion of the enamel. This causes the surface to become more transparent, allowing more yellow color dentin show through.