Why Teeth Darken

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 02, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Each tooth in your mouth three layers and one root, and understanding why teeth darken requires first identifying each of these layers.

The layers of your teeth are:
- Enamel - Strong, white, outermost layer of the tooth
- Dentin - Hard, yellowish second layer
- Pulp - Soft innermost layer of your tooth containing the tooth's nerve

The root of your tooth joins blood vessels and nerves in your jawbone to blood vessels and nerves in your tooth.

Tooth Enamel and Darkening

The outermost layer of your teeth naturally erodes with age. As it erodes, the yellowish dentin is exposed. Due to this, age is one of the most common causes of dingy-looking teeth. Your enamel is also where surface stains appear. These may be caused by things such as:
- Soda and sports drinks
- Coffee and tea
- Tobacco use
- Poor dental hygiene

Some surface stains can be removed with a more thorough at-home and professional dental hygiene routine. Others may require a professional tooth whitening solution from your cosmetic dentist.

Dentin and Tooth Darkening
Dentin can make your smile look dingy as it becomes more exposed with age. Other things that may impact the appearance of dentin include:
- Fluorosis
- Medications such as tetracycline

Stains, discoloration, or ribboning underneath your enamel cannot generally be addressed through topical tooth whitening solutions. To address these stains you should discuss options such as porcelain veneers with your cosmetic dentist.

Pulp, Roots, and Tooth Darkening

Damage to your gums, the nerve of your tooth, or things that cut off blood supply can also result in tooth darkening. These will include:
- Gum disease
- Tooth infection
- Trauma to the tooth

As with dentin darkening, these issues cannot be addressed with topical tooth whiteners. Depending on the cause of your tooth discoloration your cosmetic dentist may recommend veneers or dental crowns to improve the appearance of these teeth.

No matter what the cause of your tooth darkening, an experienced cosmetic dentist can address the problem and restore your smile to its brightest and most brilliant appearance.

To learn more about tooth whitening in Philadelphia, Main Line, and Ardmore Pennsylvania, please visit the website of Lindsey Marshall, DMD today at www.lindseymarshall.com.

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