Every patient wants to have a white, bright smile that they can proudly show off to the world. When your smile looks its best you look and feel better! Our Glendale cosmetic dentists are always answering the same question from patients, “why can’t I get my smile as white as I want it?” Many patients find that as they age it becomes harder and harder to achieve a brilliantly white smile.
There are several reasons why it becomes harder to whiten your dental enamel with regular brushing, flossing, and at-home whitening treatments.
Some dental discoloration is caused by environmental factors. Tea, coffee, and wine, for example, can discolor dental enamel. Additionally foods like chocolate and berries may leave stains on the surface of teeth. The most severe staining is often caused by tobacco problems, which are notorious for making teeth look dark and dirty. As we age, these stains and spots of discoloration can compound and become more difficult to treat.
Another, less commonly known, cause of tooth discoloration has to do with the way that dental enamel ages and thins. Young dental enamel is white, bright, and strong. Due to regular wear and tear through life, dental enamel begins to thin as we age. The white dental enamel becomes more see-through, exposing a layer of dentin beneath. Dentin is darker and yellower in color than dental enamel, so with age more of the dentin shows through to the surface of the tooth.
We can’t control all dental staining and darkening. Some discoloration is simply a product of ageing. The good news is that with modern cosmetic dentistry we can refresh dull looking smiles—teeth bleaching and Lumineers are two popular options. If you’re unhappy with the current state of your smile, feel free to give our Glendale cosmetic dentist a call for more information—(818) 334-2974.