Over the years, you may notice changes in the color of your teeth, including dark stains, spots, and overall yellowing. Fortunately, there are several steps that can restore your tooth color and boost your confidence. Here’s what to know about discoloration and when to consider professional teeth whitening from a dentist. 

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

Eating and drinking certain items can contribute to yellowing and staining. Coffee, tea, and wine contain tannins, which are natural plant compounds that cause dark pigments to bind to teeth. Additionally, berries, fruit juices, and tomato sauces contain acids that deteriorate enamel, making their red, blue, or purple pigmentation more likely to absorb beneath tooth surfaces. 

Beneath the tooth surface is a yellow layer known as dentin. If the enamel doesn’t develop properly, it may expose dentin and make teeth appear discolored. Aging can wear away enamel and cause dentin to grow, making surfaces appear yellowish. 

How Can You Brighten Your Smile?

Professional teeth whitening is ideal for people who experience staining due to eating or smoking. A dentist will apply a hydrogen peroxide solution and use a special light to heat it, speeding up the bleaching. They may also create custom trays and provide you with a solution to perform whitening or touch-ups at home.

If you have discoloration due to eroded or damaged enamel, dental bonding provides an excellent way to resurface the teeth. A cosmetic dentistry provider can apply white resin and harden it with a curing light to bond it with the teeth, permanently brightening your smile. 

Prevent discoloration by brushing with an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste twice daily for two minutes. Limit your intake of staining foods and beverages, or sip them through straws when possible to minimize direct contact with teeth. Rinse your mouth out with water after consuming pigmented substances to keep them from staying on teeth and dyeing the surfaces.

Improve the look of your smile with teeth whitening treatments from Kennedy Dental Group in Anchorage, AK. They provide cosmetic dentistry solutions to augment the aesthetics and function of teeth, including Opalescence® at-home trays and bonding. Call (907) 277-5684 to book your next appointment, or visit their website to learn more about how they can protect and restore your smile.