Even though you take good care of your teeth, they still seem to have a yellow-ish tint to them. You’d like to turn back time to before your smile sustained any damage or staining from years of drinking coffee. With porcelain veneers in Center, you can refresh your appearance within three visits to your dentist. Read on to learn what causes your smile to age and how cosmetic dentistry can help.
What Causes Teeth to Stain?
There are countless reasons that your teeth could appear stained or discolored, and unfortunately, some of them are out of your control. Knowing the causes of yellowing teeth can help you take the proper steps to keep it from occurring. Some factors that contribute to tooth discoloration include:
- Consuming Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks. Coffee, red wine, black tea, dark sodas, balsamic vinegar, and tomato-based sauces all contain tannins, which cause stains to form on teeth.
- Tobacco Use. Smoking or chewing tobacco can stain teeth.
- Disease. Several diseases can impact enamel formation and cause your teeth to appear yellow.
- Medications. Medications like tetracycline, doxycycline, and chemotherapy are all known to cause tooth discoloration.
- Metal Restorations. Metal materials in your mouth like amalgam fillings (containing silver), can cause your tooth to appear gray or black.
- Aging. As you age, your enamel naturally thins, revealing your dentin, which is yellow in color.
- Genetics. Certain people have naturally whiter or thicker enamel.
- Environment. High fluoride levels in water or consuming excessive amounts of fluoride can cause tooth discoloration
As you can see, a good portion of these are unfortunate consequences of factors that may be out of your control. Over time, they can begin to have a massive impact on your daily life.
How Can a Discolored Smile Impact Your Self-Esteem?
When you look in the mirror, does the dull and stained appearance of your teeth distract from your otherwise beautiful smile? Having a discolored grin can make you self-conscious of approaching new people, striking up conversations, showing off your smile, and even laughing. All of these are also reactions and qualities that help you reveal your genuine, true self to people, allowing you to establish strong, new connections. Fortunately, there are many ways that your cosmetic dentist in Center can help restore your confidence.
What Cosmetic Dental Treatments Can Refresh Your Smile?
When you visit your cosmetic dentist for a consultation, they’ll discuss the variety of treatments you could use to restore your smile and turn back the clock on aging. Transforming your grin can help boost your confidence and help you get back in the social saddle. Here are some treatments they may suggest:
- Porcelain Veneers. Veneers are thin, durable custom-crafted shells that are stain-resistant. They’re specially formed to fit over the visible portion of your teeth to conceal discoloration.
- Professional Teeth Whitening. Whether your discoloration is caused by tobacco use or drinking too much coffee, in-office whitening can make your teeth multiple shades brighter in as little as an hour.
- Direct Bonding. Using a customized shade of composite resin, your dentist can make your teeth multiple shades whiter.
If you’d like to rejuvenate your smile after decades of wear-and-tear, a little cosmetic dental TLC is sure to do the trick. The best way to learn which solution is best for you is to discuss your desires and the goals you have for your grin with your dentist. Be sure to bring in photos of smiles that you find attractive and any questions you have so your dentist can help unlock your full potential!
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Youngblood is an active member of several professional organizations. This allows him to keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry so he can provide his patients with effective and high-quality treatments. He understands the impact that a damaged smile can have on somebody’s self-esteem, which is why he offers countless cosmetic services such as Invisalign and porcelain veneers. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Family Dental Center of East Texas’ website or call 936-427-9070.