Teeth stains are the most frequent types of blemishes to affect your smile’s appearance, and almost everyone has to deal with them at some point in their lives. The good news is that patients in Syosset, NY, have several options for addressing teeth stains of all types and brightening their smiles’ appearance. For example, teeth-whitening can effectively erase most types of stains in almost no time, and more stubborn discoloration can be addressed with another custom-designed, minimally invasive cosmetic dental treatment.
Common extrinsic stains
The most common types of teeth stains are known as extrinsic (external) stains because they settle on the surfaces of your teeth. They can form naturally after years of exposure to foods and beverages, as the colorful molecules in them can cling to and accumulate on your outer tooth enamel. These stains may also be made worse due to certain dental and lifestyle habits, such as poor daily hygiene, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and more.
Less common intrinsic discoloration
Sometimes, your teeth can be discolored even if there aren’t any stains on your teeth surfaces. The enamel around your teeth is semi-translucent, meaning you actually see your tooth’s main structure. If discoloration develops within this structure, then it will be just as noticeable as extrinsic stains. However, it won’t respond to the same topical teeth-whitening treatment that extrinsic stains respond to.
How to deal with teeth stains
How you deal with your teeth stains will depend largely on their nature. For example, extrinsic stains can most often be erased with convenient teeth-whitening treatment. Your dentist can design a custom take-home kit, complete with professional-strength whitening gel and a set of custom-designed whitening trays that fit over your teeth. For intrinsic discoloration, however, your dentist might recommend cosmetic tooth bonding or porcelain veneers, depending on the extent of the discoloration.
Erase teeth stains and brighten your smile
There are different types of stains that could affect your teeth, and while teeth-whitening can address most of them, you may need more involved cosmetic treatment to address others. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
