Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Top Causes of Teeth Stains and Discoloration

By Jerry McMaze

People with stained or gray looking teeth might not be social or want to join in group conversations because of their unsightly see, they just don't want to be made fun of, however it doesn't always have to be this way, let the following information turn things around.

There are Two Types of Teeth Stains

Extrinsic and intrinsic stains are the two types of teeth discoloration. Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the outer layer of the teeth, caused by dark colored drinks and foods, smoking, and daily wear and tear. These minor stains can be removed by daily brushing and use of whitening toothpastes. Intrinsic stains that are more difficult to remove but can be bleached using teeth whitening products such as strips, gels, and trays.

Intrinsic stains, meanwhile, form on the teeth interior. These can be a result of aging, trauma, exposure to minerals, or excessive use of fluoride. Deep-set intrinsic stains should be removed either with an in-office teeth whitening treatment or a supervised take-home teeth whitening product such as a whitening tray.

Causes of Tooth Stains

Aging - Teeth darken as we age due to stain accumulation and daily wear and tear. Thinness and translucency - These genetic traits cause the teeth to appear yellow. Food and drinks - Red wine, coffee, tea, soda, and dark colored fruits are just some of the many types of teeth-staining foods and drinks. Smoking - Nicotine stain teeth by leaving brownish deposits into the structure of the teeth. Trauma - falls and other types of physical injuries can produce cracks in the teeth, where debris can accumulate and cause stains.

Teeth Whitening Options

There are the in-office whitening products or the over-the counter products. In-Office Whitening - The dentist's clinic is one of the places you can go to if you want to have your teeth whitened. Dentists apply high-concentration peroxide gel on the patient's teeth. They may use a light or laser to activate the bleaching process. Over-the-Counter Products - These take-home whitening products include whitening trays, strips, gels, toothpastes, and rinses. Toothpastes and rinses contain mild abrasive, which scrub off surface stains while the other products contain bleaching agents.

Maintaining Your White Teeth

Follow up in-house treatment with the use of home whitening products. Avoid consuming foods and drinks that cause teeth stains. If possible, sip dark-colored beverage with a straw. Brush and floss daily after you wake up and before you sleep, and if you eat and or drink teeth-staining foods and drinks. Yes, teeth stains can be an annoying problem but it is fortunate that there are now ways people can do to improve the appearance of their teeth so they can start feeling good about themselves.

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