Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Practicing good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing your teeth every day, helps reduce stains on your teeth. However, practically everyone experiences teeth staining at some point in their lives. The most common culprits are certain foods, beverages, and tobacco usage. However, you may be surprised to learn that certain medications and aging are to blame for dingy, yellowing teeth. So today on the blog, our cosmetic dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, compares different types of teeth stains and shares a simple solution to help you maintain bright white teeth.
Two Types of Teeth Stains
There are two different types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic:
- Extrinsic stains are stains on the outermost surface of your teeth, which is your tooth enamel. These stains most often are due to eating staining foods and beverages like dark berries, marinara sauce, coffee, tea, and soda. Using tobacco products can also cause teeth to appear yellow. Practicing good oral hygiene every day and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year helps reduce these stains. But eventually, everyone experiences extrinsic staining on their teeth.
- Intrinsic stains, however, are stains that develop within the tooth structure, discoloring the dentin layer. These stains are usually due to certain medication use, chemotherapy, and aging. A once commonly used antibiotic, tetracycline, is known to cause intrinsic teeth stains or make teeth appear gray. Additionally, fluoride overuse during childhood can lead to intrinsic teeth staining. Unfortunately, no amount of oral hygiene or preventive dental care can prevent intrinsic stains because those efforts won’t reach the dentin layer.
How age affects tooth color
As you get older, the protective layer of your teeth, known as the enamel, wears thin. While an acidic diet like regularly drinking coffee and sodas can erode dental enamel, enamel also thins as part of the natural aging process. As enamel thins, the dentin layer is exposed and is more vulnerable to staining, and may become sensitive. In some cases, untreated GERD or acid reflux can lead to enamel erosion from repeated exposure to stomach acids.
What can be done to brighten my teeth?
The best cosmetic dentists in Okemos offer GLO Science, an in-office and on-the-go teeth whitening treatment that uses a blue LED light to accelerate a proprietary brightening agent for fast results. GLO in-office teeth whitening takes about 30 minutes so that you can whiten your teeth on your lunch break or during a short visit to our Okemos dentist’s office at Tenaglia Smiles. Or, if you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, you can use the take-home teeth whitening system while doing housework, checking emails, or reading a book. The best part about GLO teeth whitening system is that it whitens extrinsic and intrinsic stains without causing tooth sensitivity. Plus, it also can help whiten dental restorations to their original brightness. Therefore, if you are looking for ways to get rid of age-related teeth stains or want to learn more about choosing the best way to whiten your teeth, the GLO system may be right for you.
Best Teeth Whitening in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing
Experiencing stained teeth can make your teeth look dingy and cause you to feel embarrassed when you smile. But with the help of a top-rated cosmetic dentist in Okemos, like Dr. Tenaglia, you can brighten your teeth, removing years of staining to reveal a gorgeous smile. To learn more, contact Tenaglia Smiles by calling (517) 347-6733 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.