Young and healthy dental enamel looks white and bright. However, as we age, our teeth can start to look worn down, dark, and dull. Aesthetic changes to your smile can occur for a number of reasons; today our Elmhurst cosmetic dentists are explaining some of the common causes of dental staining and discoloration.
Dental enamel naturally comes in all kinds of different shades and tones. In general, however, young and healthy enamel is some shade of white, and fairly luminous/shiny. Your enamel may start to look dark and stained when…
Your teeth have accumulated stains from different foods, drinks, and environmental factors. There are a number of different substances that are prone to causing dental stains: cola, red wine, coffee, tea, chocolate, berries, red sauces, and more. Generally, these stains are easily lightened with professional lightening treatments.
Sometimes teeth begin to look darker or yellower because the patient’s dental enamel has started to thin, so more of the layer below the enamel, called dentin, shows through to the surface.
Another thing that can cause your teeth to look dark or dull is dental damage or trauma. If the nerves of your tooth are compromised, your whole tooth can start to look gray and dark. If you suffer from a dental accident, and you notice that your tooth starts to look different afterwards, reach out to your dentist for support.
When structural changes to your smile result in dental discoloration, you may want to explore cosmetic dentistry options like dental bonding or LUMINEERS to cover the affected teeth. Both bonding and cosmetic restorations can be custom-shaded to suit your specific aesthetic needs.
As always, our Elmhurst dentists are here to help you achieve a smile that makes you feel confident and happy. So, if you’re dealing with unwanted dental discoloration, give our office a call to schedule a consultation!