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Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog
Cosmetic Dentistry Directory
Thursday, July 28, 2011
What Causes Teeth to Become Discolored?
Over time, your teeth can all too easily become discolored and stained. This is not always the result of external substances affecting your teeth; sometimes, discoloration can be caused by natural changes in the tooth material itself.
In general, cosmetic dentists separate instances of discoloration into three main categories:
- Intrinsic discoloration – Too much fluoride exposure as a child or the use of antibiotics with tetracycline can cause your tooth’s inner structure (the dentin) to darken, taking on a yellow tint.
- Extrinsic discoloration – Your enamel can become stained by coffee, soda, wine, nicotine, and other commonly-consumed substances.
- Age-related discoloration – Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors apply. Stains that have been caused by foods, beverages or smoking are present, and your dentin has also yellowed naturally over time. Your enamel typically thins with age, allowing the yellow layer beneath to show through more.
Various cosmetic dentistry procedures can help you whiten your smile, such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. Some stains, such as those caused by tetracycline, can be permanent and non-responsive to teeth whitening. In these cases, porcelain veneers can help cover up the discoloration, restoring your smile to a beautiful natural white.
To find out more about cosmetic dentistry options for whitening your smile, contact an experienced cosmetic dentist today through the Cosmetic Dentistry directory.
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