You may notice that your teeth are not as white as they were when you were young. This is a natural progression, due to aging. As you get older, the enamel wears down, exposing the dentin of the tooth. When this happens, the natural yellow color of the dentin is exposed. In addition, more dentin shows with age, which reduces the size of the dental pulp. When this occurs, the tooth's translucency takes on a darker appearance. The following information discusses what you can do to address this form of discoloration.
Teeth Darken for a Number of Reasons
Besides aging, teeth also darken because of the administration of certain medications and the use of some dental materials. For example, antihypertensive medications and antihistamine drugs may lead to tooth discoloration. Also, dental materials, such as amalgam fillings, can emit a grayish color, which affects the looks of the teeth. If you don't brush and floss regularly to remove plaque, you will see darker teeth, or if you drink stain-producing liquids, such as colas or coffees, teeth will darken as well. Tooth discoloration can also be triggered by treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation.
How to Improve the Looks of Darkened Teeth
If your dentin has darkened and you wish to improve the appearance of your smile, you may want to schedule an in-office whitening appointment. Some patients consider the use of veneers to improve the appearance of darkened teeth. What you end up choosing will depend on the composition of your teeth and the degree of darkening. We can assist you with improving your smile or whitening your teeth. Whether you choose veneers, an in-office whitening system, or other type of restoration, we can advise you on what will work for you. Give us a call today and schedule a dental exam and consultation. If your teeth are not as white as you would like, you can improve their appearance with one of a number of dental treatments or cosmetic applications.
