Over time your smile can change in a number of different ways—some more visible than others. One of the earliest changes that people notice when they look in the mirror is that their teeth look dark or stained. Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to give you some more information about why your smile may start to look yellow and dull over time. We hope that this information will help you better protect your smile.
Many people know that certain foods and drinks can lead to dental staining. Very pigmented consumables can leave color deposits on a patient’s smile, and make teeth look darker and older than they truly are. Some popular foods and drinks that contribute to staining include soft drinks, tea, coffee, red wine, berries, and red sauces. Obviously, the more you minimize your consumption of staining substances, the better you’re able to protect your smile from discoloration. You can also get into the habit of rinsing your smile with water after eating.
Some types of dental discoloration are due to dental damage. If you suffer a dental injury, and the foundation of your tooth is damaged, you may notice that it starts to look dark, brown, or gray. This type of discoloration suggests that you may require restorative care; you won’t be able to improve the tooth’s appearance with topical teeth whitening treatments, for example.
Another type of discoloration is the result of dental enamel slowly thinning, the effects of which compound over time. Dental enamel, the white outermost layer of the tooth, covers darker inner layers, such as dentin. As enamel gets thinner dentin starts to show through to the surface of the patient’s smile, and makes the patient’s teeth look dull and yellow.
If you start to notice that your smile looks yellow or stained, our Toluca Lake dentists can help you brighten and lighten your teeth. Give us a call to schedule your consultation and learn more!