Yellow teeth don’t just make your mouth look bad; they can also make you look older than you feel. Unfortunately, however, there are many things that cause your teeth to discolor, and try as they might, many over-the-counter whitening treatments simply don’t help.
Thankfully, your dentist offers a variety of treatment options to help whiten your teeth and remove years of stains and discoloration. Here are a few common culprits that could be darkening them, and some cosmetic dentistry solutions that can help bring back that whiter, brighter smile!
Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Tooth discoloration can be caused by several things, including:
- Thin enamel
- Age
- Dark colored beverages like coffee, red wine, and cola
- Smoking
- Certain medications
Unfortunately, though it may have been easy to cause this discoloration, removing it can often be a challenge. Over-the-counter products rely on diluted levels of active ingredients and could take months to work. One of their benefits is supposedly their affordability, however by the time you see noticeable results you’ve often taken longer and spent more money than you would have if you’d just gotten professional treatment from your dentist!
Professional Teeth Whitening Options
Thankfully, you don’t need to waste any more time or money on OTC whitening treatments. Your dentist offers a variety of helpful solutions to help whiten and brighten your smile!
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are custom fit to your teeth. They cover the visible surface of the tooth, changing the shade. They can even be customized to adjust the size, shape, and spacing of the teeth, too. With proper care and maintenance (brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dentist twice a year for your regular biannual exam and cleaning appointments) they can last up to 20 years! Best of all, they’re stain resistant, so you can still enjoy that morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine. Just be sure to brush well afterwards!
Metal-Free Restorations
Metal-free restorations can change the color of your teeth by replacing older metal fillings that create dark spots in your smile. This treatment uses durable composite resin, zirconia, porcelain and ceramic materials that look and feel so much like your natural teeth, you may even forget you have them!
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding uses the same durable, natural-looking composite resin material your dentist uses in metal-free restorations to rebuild broken or damaged teeth. It can also be used to cover teeth with excessive discoloration or stains. Though cosmetic bonding is not as long-lasting as veneers, it is one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry treatments available and with proper care can last around five years.
Professional Whitening
Finally, if you’re interested in removing up to eight shades of discoloration and are happy with everything else about your smile, the Opalescence in-office or take-home whitening treatment can help. Though it does cost more than OTC white strips or toothpaste, it can be customized to achieve your smile goals, so you’ll get the results you want in a fraction of the time. Best of all, the results are permanent, so as long as you maintain proper care of your teeth and avoid discoloring foods or habits, you can enjoy your gleaming smile for several years. The take-home kit can be used anywhere and includes custom trays that can be reused if you ever need a touch up. Just contact your dentist for refills!
Remember, there are many reasons why your teeth may appear yellow with time. Thankfully, your dentist offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to help bring back that youthful, bright white smile you’ve been missing!
About Dr. Jake
Dr. Jake chose to be a dentist because it allowed him to help patients, all the while forming lasting relationships with them. Whether you just need a regular, biannual exam and cleaning, a restorative treatment, or you’re interested in improving the appearance of your smile with cosmetic dentistry, he is proud to offer Fresno families a variety of options that will make them grin!
If you’ve been experiencing tooth discoloration that leaves you feeling embarrassed to show your teeth while eating, speaking, or smiling, W Dental can help. Schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry and let Dr. Jake discuss your options for revealing your brightest smile yet! To book an appointment, please visit our website or call us today at 559-431-9104.