Are there days when you feel somber just looking at your stained teeth in the mirror? You don’t have to feel bad about your smile anymore. All you need is to visit a cosmetic dentist in Raleigh. Instead of turning to social media apps like TikTok for advice, we suggest you go straight to the experts.
Just so you know, teeth whitening trends are circulating online with vloggers and social media influencers claiming that these “trends” do work. Some of the infamously popular trends are swishing hydrogen peroxide in your mouth, and you’ll get an instantly bright smile, or smearing hydrogen peroxide using Q-tips.
Don’t let your desperation tempt you into experimenting with your teeth. The safest and most effective approach is talking to your cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists will evaluate your teeth, determine what those stains are, and recommend a customized treatment plan to target your dental concerns.
Tooth Stains: Why Do You Have Them?
What Are the Different Types of Tooth Stains?
At different phases in your life, you will encounter various types of stains that will affect the color of your teeth. These are extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related stains.
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are stains that tarnish the outermost layer of your teeth called the enamel. The enamel is a strong protective layer, and underneath it is a softer layer called the dentin. How do extrinsic stains develop? The enamel absorbs anything you put inside your mouth, whether soda, nicotine, wine, tea, or berries. The more you consume dark-colored food and drinks, the more your enamel will absorb their colors, causing your teeth to stain.
Luckily, if the stains are only concentrated on the enamel, they can easily be removed through professional teeth whitening.
Intrinsic Stains
Stains on the dentin, which is the sensitive layer next to the enamel, are intrinsic stains. The dentist is more yellow compared to the enamel. When your enamel is eroded or has started thinning out, it will eventually expose the yellow-colored dentin. Enamel erosion can be a result of normal wear-and-tear or poor oral hygiene. Albeit more challenging to remove, your cosmetic dentist can still make your teeth brighter.
Age-Related Stains
You’ll notice that your teeth will also turn darker as you grow older. These changes are age-related. Your enamel will wear down as you age, and your dentin becomes darker in color. Inevitably, these two can lead to teeth discoloration. Unfortunately, this change is beyond your control even if you brush and floss your teeth daily. Age-related stains are somehow like intrinsic stains because they affect the dentin.
How Do You Deal with Tooth Stains?
The good news is that cosmetic dental procedures can help bring back the luster and brightness of your smile through various methods.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Be wary of at-home teeth whitening kits from your local drugstore or supermarket. These can be unsafe to use and do not give you satisfying results. If you want a safe and effective method of removing extrinsic stays, go to your cosmetic dentist.
Cosmetic dentists offer at-home teeth whitening kits and provide you with specific instructions on using them. At-home teeth whitening kits work best if you have extrinsic stains. The kits are more effective if you incorporate them with an LED light.
Whitening Mouthwash and Toothpastes
If you are already diligently brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day, then it’s easier to make your smile brighter if you choose products that contain teeth-whitening ingredients. With consistency, you will notice that your teeth will look brighter each day as the stains are slowly lifted off. Certain toothpaste and mouthwash brands have whitening ingredients designed to target deep-set stains.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Unfortunately, there are cases where patients aren’t satisfied with the results of at-home teeth whitening kits. In such a case, you can visit the dental office to have your teeth whitened professionally. Professional teeth whitening is highly effective in removing extrinsic and intrinsic stains, but they can also be more expensive than the kits.
Dental Veneers
Another option to whiten your teeth instantly is a veneer application. Veneers are thin shells that are either made of composite or porcelain. Your cosmetic dentist will apply the veneers over your teeth. The size, shape, and color of these shells can be customized to give you an even smile. With proper care, veneers can last up to a decade.
Are You Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist in Raleigh?
At Tyron Family Dentistry, we listen to your needs, and we try our best to give you the smile you have always wanted. This is made possible with our experienced, fully-trained, and passionate dental team and our state-of-the-art equipment, and the modern techniques we employ. Achieving a beautiful smile is just one call away. Call us today!
