A regular patient at our Sullivan cosmetic dental office, Amanda, had always enjoyed a beautiful smile. Her teeth were well proportioned and straight, and she maintained a healthy, cavity-free smile. Last year, however, Amanda came in to our office complaining that her teeth had lost some of their luminosity. Amanda was noticing prominent dental stains on the front of her teeth. She was horrified! How did this happen?

Dental discoloration is one of the most common cosmetic problems among patients of all ages. Enamel stains are caused by a number of factors, only some of which you can control. Take a look at this list to understand how dental stains accumulate:

Staining Substances

Foods like berries, chocolate, and deep sauces can cause surface stains. Additionally popular drinks such as cola, coffee, tea, and red wine contribute to darkening enamel.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition in which patients chronically grind or clench their teeth. Over time this action weakens the tooth structure, causing micro-cracks in the enamel. These cracks collect stains and debris.

Dental Trauma

If you experience severe dental trauma your teeth may suddenly darken in color because it is no longer healthy, and the tooth core is compromised.

Plaque and Tartar

Throughout the day plaque—a bacterial film—accumulates on dental enamel. Over time plaque hardens on to teeth as something called tartar. Both plaque and tartar will make teeth appear yellow or brown.

Tobacco

Tobacco is not only bad for your health; it’s also bad for your smile. Chewing and smoking tobacco will stain and darken dental enamel. The best way to avoid these dirty looking streaks is to avoid tobacco products all together.  

If your smile is looking darker or dirtier than you’d like, you have cosmetic options that can restore the luminosity of your smile. Amanda underwent in-office professional teeth bleaching, and she was thrilled with the results. Give our Sullivan cosmetic dentists a call for more information—(573) 321-4008.