Jonesborough, Jefferson City, and Greeneville, TN
Are your teeth yellow, brown or dingy? Does the discoloration make you hesitant to smile? You’re not alone. We all feel more confident to smile when we’re sporting a bright, white smile. But age, years of enjoying staining foods and beverages and even certain medications can cause teeth to become discolored over time. Today, our cosmetic dentist in Erwin is exploring several common causes of tooth staining — and ways you can restore your smile to its youthful, radiant glow!
Diet
The most common culprit of tooth staining is diet — the foods and beverages we consume. Dark sodas, tea and coffee, red wine, chocolate, tomato-based sauces and dark berries are all known to stain the teeth over time.
Tobacco use
Tobacco contains tar and nicotine, both of which cling to enamel, the hard outer layer of the teeth. While nicotine itself is colorless, it turns yellow when exposed to oxygen, and tar is naturally dark. Together, they create stubborn, yellowish-brown extrinsic (external) stains that seep into the tiny pores of the enamel and, over time, become deeply embedded.
Dental trauma
Our teeth are very strong and durable, but accidents can happen and damage them. When that happens, blood vessels and nerves inside the tooth (the pulp) can be damaged, causing internal bleeding or pulp death. This can result in blood pigments or other byproducts being absorbed into the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, leading the tooth to appear gray, brown or even reddish.
Medications
Certain prescription antibiotic medications — specifically, tetracycline and doxycycline — can cause intrinsic (internal) staining of the teeth. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, and certain antipsychotics can lead to dry mouth. A lack of saliva in the mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and can lead to tooth discoloration.
How can I restore my pearly whites?
You don’t have to look far to find over-the-counter products that promise to help remove stains from your teeth. Whitening toothpaste, bleaching pens and whitening strips and kits line the dental aisle at retail stores.
- Whitening toothpaste — Toothpaste can help you maintain a white smile but isn’t necessarily effective at removing stains once they’re set in.
- Whitening strips — Whitening strips contain peroxide and stick to the teeth during a short treatment period. The peroxide penetrates the enamel to break down and lift stains from inside the teeth, making them look whiter over time.
- Whitening kits — Over-the-counter whitening kits use peroxide-based gel in trays that fit over the teeth. The gel penetrates tooth enamel, breaking up stains with repeated use. Some kits include a special blue LED light to speed up the whitening process by helping the peroxide work more effectively.
- Whitening pens — Pens can be used for touch-ups after whitening.
- Professional teeth whitening — Unlike over-the-counter whitening products that can require repeated use before seeing results, at Tusculum Dental Care, we use custom-made trays and professional-grade gel to drastically whiten your teeth in just one visit to our cosmetic dentist’s office in Jonesborough. Treatment takes less than an hour. In addition to our in-office whitening, we offer take-home options so you can whiten your teeth on your schedule, in the comfort of your own home.
- Veneers — If you have intrinsic staining from medications, fluorosis or dental trauma, or if you want to sport a perfectly seamless Hollywood smile, our Greeneville cosmetic dentist’s office offers veneers. These are wafer-thin porcelain or composite resin “shells” that are custom-made to cover teeth that are stained, chipped or cracked. They can also cover misshapen teeth, correct the appearance of mildly misaligned teeth and close gaps between the teeth.
- Dental bonding — Dental bonding corrects many of the same issues as veneers, but at less cost and in less time. Bonding involves our Erwin dentist applying a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth that needs to be covered, then skillfully shaping it before using a special light to harden it all into place.
Professional teeth whitening in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee
If you’re looking for a whiter, brighter smile and are in the Erwin, Jonesborough or Greeneville areas, Tusculum Dental Care can help. Whether by professional whitening or veneers and bonding, we can correct any staining on your teeth. Call us at (423) 639-7575, or reach out to us online today.