subject: Why do Teeth Darken? [print this page] Teeth darken naturally as we age, but also can change color or become unpleasantly stained for other reasons. Stained or discolored teeth can lead to self-consciousness about your smile, reducing your quality of life in many ways. In most cases, tooth whitening can restore your teeth to their original color and luster.
Reasons Teeth Darken
When teeth darken due to aging, it is often because of wear to the enamel. Other causes of staining include:
Beverages such as coffee, tea or wine
Dark-colored foods
Smoking
Teeth can also stain for other reasons, including:
Damage to the tooth
Root canal
Fluoride ingestion
Use of certain drugs
Tooth whitening can help correct many types of staining. Some staining that does not respond to tooth whitening can be corrected with porcelain veneers or crowns.
Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Staining
The effectiveness of tooth whitening on different types of staining is largely dependent on whether the staining is extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic staining discolors only the tooth's surface. Food and beverage staining are the most common forms of extrinsic staining.
Intrinsic staining is part of the tooth's internal structure. Many types of intrinsic staining occur during the tooth's development. One example is the gray staining that occurs when children ingest too much fluoride while their permanent teeth are developing. Some antibiotics such as tetracycline and other medications have similar side effects.
In general, extrinsic staining can be effectively treated with tooth whitening, while intrinsic staining cannot. However, some new professional tooth whitening procedures can treat intrinsic staining. Ask your cosmetic dentist for information about these new procedures, including KoR Deep Bleaching. KoR Deep Bleaching combines in-office whitening with take-home trays to reduce staining that other tooth whitening techniques do not correct.
In-office professional whitening uses a powerful gel that is painted onto the teeth. It can lighten the teeth as much as ten shades in a single application, restoring your teeth to their previous shine. For more stubborn staining, take-home treatments that you apply over a period of several days to a few weeks might be more effective.
Why do Teeth Darken?
By: Sara Goldstein
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