As they get older, many people notice that their teeth have picked up stains and changed colour. Eventually, they find themselves wondering how to fix discoloured teeth. There are many methods available to alter the colour of your teeth such as dental crowns and teeth whitening, but some are more successful than others. Your first stop when it comes to teeth whitening should always be your dentist.
Types of Tooth Discoloration
It may surprise you to learn that there are various kinds of tooth discolouration, and establishing what type you are experiencing can help your dentist to know the cause. Then they can decide the way to treat it, whether that’s teeth whitening to dental crowns. They can also teach you what you can do to prevent tooth discolouration in the future. The main types of discolouration are extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic tooth discolouration refers to stains that only affect the tooth’s surface, specifically the enamel. This is usually caused by external factors such as food (e.g. tomato-based sauces and curries), drink (e.g. red wine, tea, and coffee), and smoking.
Intrinsic tooth discolouration, on the other hand, is internal. It generally presents as a grey-ish colour rather than yellow or brown and is more challenging to treat with over-the-counter teeth whitening products. The leading causes of intrinsic discolouration are tooth decay, trauma to the tooth, excess fluoride, certain medications, and genetic factors.
In addition to intrinsic and extrinsic discolouration, age can be a factor in the changing shades of your teeth. As you get older, your enamel starts to wear away, making teeth more vulnerable to stains. Once you’ve identified why your teeth appear stained, you can decide how to fix your discoloured teeth.
How to Fix Discoloured Teeth?
The methods for fixing discoloured teeth range from simple tooth brushing to having dental crowns fitted. These methods work to varying degrees and, depending on your situation, you may find one is more suitable than the others.
Regular Brushing and Flossing
Poor dental hygiene is one of the key causes of both extrinsic and intrinsic tooth discolouration. Not brushing your teeth properly at least twice a day allows acids to destroy the enamel of your teeth that, combined with the presence of plaque, gives stains the perfect surface to stick to. Thorough brushing and flossing also help fight tooth decay, a cause of intrinsic discolouration.
Although brushing and flossing will not change the overall colour of your teeth as getting dental crowns or veneers would, your hygiene routine can remove surface stains (particularly if you use dentist-recommended teeth whitening toothpaste) and is a powerful tool against future discolouration.
Dentist-Provided Take-Home Whitening Kits
Many people who wonder how to fix discoloured teeth have significant success with dentist-provided whitening kits administered at home. While there are some effective over-the-counter whitening kits on the market, it is safer to opt for a dentist-approved treatment as some kits can cause damage, such as making your teeth sensitive because you have to leave them on your teeth for an extended period.
Using one of No Gaps Dental’s take-home teeth whitening kits is incredibly simple. All you need to do is place the whitening gel into your custom-made whitening tray and wear them as prescribed. You will typically see visible results within just two weeks.
In-Chair Teeth Whitening Treatment
Many dental clinics, including No Gaps Dental, offer in-chair teeth whitening. Before the whitening process begins, your dentist will check your teeth colour against a chart to establish the end goal for the treatment.
Before applying the special whitening gel, your dentist will fit you with a cheek retractor to expose all your teeth. They then ensure your eyes, lips, and gums are protected from the bleaching agent. The gel is typically left on your teeth for around 15 minutes at a time, depending on the individual, and repeated twice more until the desired shade is achieved. Dentists have great success fighting tooth discolouration with this method.
Veneers
Veneers are a popular cosmetic dental procedure that can transform the way a person’s teeth look. They are a very thin mould of porcelain used to alter the colour, shape, or size of a tooth, particularly the front teeth. Your dentist fits the custom-made veneer or veneers to the front of your teeth after filing down the tooth’s surface.
Because they are only connected to the front of the teeth, veneers are not as permanent as dental crowns. However, the procedure for fitting dental crowns takes considerably longer than veneers.
Dental Crowns
You are probably familiar with the use of dental crowns in restorative dentistry, but did you know they are also used as a cosmetic treatment to correct issues such as tooth discolouration? Dental crowns fit directly over an existing tooth, and, unlike veneers, they cover the entire tooth. Your dentist will colour match your dental crowns so that they blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
procedure for fitting dental crowns involves shaping the existing tooth’s structure before fixing the crown to the tooth. Although this can be a fairly lengthy procedure, it makes for an extremely strong and durable tooth. In fact, with the correct aftercare, traditional dental crowns can last 15 years.
At No Gaps Dental, several of our locations offer CEREC crowns, which are made of ceramic and can last upwards of 18 years. These crowns are milled on-site and can be ready on the same day as your digital impressions are taken, removing the need for you to return a second time to have them fitted.
Take Your First Steps to Your Dream Smile
The best way to avoid tooth discolouration is to take good care of your teeth. That means brushing and flossing them regularly and avoiding foods and beverages that can stain them. Remember that smoking is one of the leading causes of stained teeth, so quitting smoking is a great first step to improving your overall dental health.
However, if you have noticed your teeth are already discoloured, you may wish to seek more advanced methods, whether that’s teeth whitening, veneers, or dental crowns. If you are concerned about the colour of your teeth, contact No Gaps Dental on (02) 8806 0227 to arrange a consultation and start your journey towards the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.