Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing Michigan
Have you ever gone to laugh or smile and found yourself hiding your teeth because of discoloration? A stain on your teeth can make you embarrassed. We all feel self-conscious from time to time, but you shouldn’t when you smile. A smile is how we show our happiness, excitement, and approval. Your cosmetic dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia wants to make you comfortable smiling again and can do so with one of our professional whitening treatments at Tenaglia Smiles.
There are two types of stains on teeth
Extrinsic stains come from sources outside of your teeth. This is the most common type of stain that forms on teeth and usually does so because of exposure to one of several different compounds. Cigarettes, chocolates, berries, wine, coffee, black tea, sodas, and dark beers are all culprits we know that cause these stains to form. There may be some you don’t know, such as apples, potatoes, soy sauce, and vinegar. Whether you choose a store-bought whitening product or a professional dental whitening, these methods usually are more effective on extrinsic tooth discoloration, but in order to know which kind of stain you have on your teeth, you will need to be seen by a qualified dentist such as Dr. Tenaglia.
Intrinsic discoloration comes from the inside of your tooth or even the enamel itself, usually due to chemical or physical changes. Time and age can deteriorate your enamel. As your enamel thins, it becomes easier to see the inside of your tooth. This layer, known as dentin, may appear to be a variety of shades and colors—such as yellow, brown, or grey. Age isn’t the only thing that wears down tooth enamel. Trauma also can lead to tooth discoloration. If the pulp—the soft interior of your tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels—dies, then the entire tooth could darken or become black. A tooth that suffers trauma while still under the gum line, before it comes out, also can have discolored spots. Tooth decay also can lead to discoloration, which also may occur as a reaction to certain chemicals or medications—such as tetracycline or overusing fluoride. These types of intrinsic stains are less likely to respond to whitening treatments. However, this discoloration still can be addressed by placing veneers on the visible tooth surface in your mouth. This conceals those stains and permanently brightens your smile. Tenaglia Smiles works with veneers made of dental porcelain, a beautiful material that resists surface stains and possesses a similar translucency to natural tooth enamel.
Whiten your smile in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
Cosmetic dentistry is one of the specialties that Dr. Tenaglia practices. She can identify what type of discoloration is on your teeth, and then identify the best treatment to address those stains. Whether your stains are intrinsic or extrinsic, if you want to become happy with your smile again, Dr. Tenaglia can help. Find out for yourself why Dr. Tenaglia has been named Okemos’ favorite dentist. To find out more about our whitening or veneer procedures, schedule a consultation at Tenaglia Smiles today. Just call (517) 347-6733 or complete our online appointment request form.