Causes of Stained Teeth

    PHOENIX, AZ, April 09, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bright, white teeth are part of our view of ideal beauty. Unfortunately, many of us have teeth that don't quite meet that standard. They're not quite as white as we'd like, or they look yellowish, or even gray or brown, making us self-conscious.

Several factors can cause teeth to look discolored or stained. Some of these are easily prevented or corrected, while others are harder to avoid and difficult to treat.

Some of the most common causes of stained teeth are foods and beverages. Examples of these that can discolor your teeth include:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Wine
• Darkly pigmented food

Mild stains of this type, called extrinsic staining, can often be removed by a regular dental cleaning. More stubborn staining might require tooth whitening treatments in order to eliminate them.

Other factors can also cause stains. Smoking can cause nicotine stains, as can any other form of tobacco use. Discoloration can also result from:

• Trauma
• Aging
• Root canals
• Cracks in the teeth
• Regular wear and tear

Wear and tear on the teeth, as well as aging, can erode the enamel layer of the tooth, allowing the darker-colored dentin to show through. Cracks in the teeth caused by wear or trauma can collect food particles and other staining agents. Trauma to an individual tooth can also cause it to darken. This could mean that the nerve has been damaged, so if an individual tooth becomes dark after it's been injured, you should have a dentist evaluate its condition.

Tooth discoloration and staining caused by trauma and wear can often be corrected with whitening treatments. Over the counter tooth whitening products can provide effective results, but for truly dramatic whitening, consult a qualified cosmetic dentist. In-office whitening treatments can lighten your teeth as many as six shades in one session. Take-home kits are also available, with powerful whitening agents that work over a longer period of time.

Other forms of discoloration in the teeth can occur while the permanent teeth are forming. This is most often caused when a child ingests too much fluoride or must take certain kinds of medication, especially antibiotics. This kind of stain becomes a part of the tooth. This intrinsic staining is difficult to treat with whiteners. In order to restore your teeth to a pleasant white color, you might have to have porcelain veneers placed to cover the stains.

Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona cosmetic dentists Scott LeSueur, D.D.S. and Charles Dodaro, D.D.S. treat stained teeth with whitening treatments or veneers. Please contact Dr. LaSueur and Dr. Dodaro for more information.

Source: Scott LeSueur, D.D.S. and Charles Dodaro, D.D.S.
Website: http://www.drsofsmiles.com

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