Why Do Teeth Darken and How to Restore Their Natural White Color?
A beautiful, bright smile is not just about aesthetics but also an indicator of good oral health. But as time passes, many people see that their teeth become less white and instead take on a yellow, gray, or even brownish tint. Tooth discolouration can affect social relationships, create pain, and reduce self-esteem.
This phenomena can be attributed to a number of factors, including age, internal health problems, smoking, food, and everyday routines. Thankfully, there are several efficient ways to bring back the original color of enamel in modern dentistry, ranging from cosmetic restoration to expert cleaning and whitening.
In this article, we will discuss the main causes of tooth discoloration, prevention methods and the best ways to give you a natural white smile.
Why Do Teeth Darken?
Tooth discoloration can happen for various reasons, which are generally divided into external (extrinsic) and internal (intrinsic) factor
External Factors (Affecting the Enamel Surface)
Eating and Drinking Staining Foods
Your teeth’s color is greatly influenced by the foods you eat every day. Pigment-rich foods cause tiny stains on the enamel that eventually change its color. The
- The most staining foods include:
- Black tea with coffee
- Wine in red
- Energy and carbonated beverages
- Curry, beets, soy sauce, and berries (blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates)
Smoking
Nicotine and tar from tobacco smoke adhere to the surface of teeth to form a yellowish-brown plaque. The longer a person smokes. The more difficult this type of stains to get rid of with routine brushing the longer a person smokes.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Plaque and tartar buildup on teeth that are not adequately or completely cleaned, eventually becoming yellow or even brown.
Metal Fillings and Crowns
Older amalgam fillings have the potential to deteriorate and discolor teeth with this type of felling. and also neighbouring teeth. Patients who have had these fillings for a long time may notice this the most.
Internal Factors (Affecting the Tooth Structure)
Aging Process
Over time, the outer enamel layer naturally wears down, exposing the darker dentin underneath. Teeth lose their original color and in result take on more yellowish or grayish hues.
Genetics
Some people are born with darker enamel or naturally thinner enamel that absorbs pigments more easily
Medication Use
When administered as a youngster, antibiotics in the tetracycline class might result in the formation of black or brown bands on teeth.
Fluorosis
Too much fluoride in toothpaste or water can cause black or white patches on the enamel.
Dental Trauma
Internal discoloration may result from a tooth’s pulp’s blood flow being disrupted by a severe impact or damage.
How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration?
These easy guidelines can help you keep your teeth looking white for years to come:
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Use dental floss and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day.
Steer clear of foods that stain, or rinse your mouth after eating them.
Reduce Coffee, Tea, and Red Wine Intake or use a straw for drinking.
See your dentist on a regular basis (every six months) cleaning..
Quit Smoking if you want to preserve a bright smile.
Methods to Restore Natural Tooth Whiteness
There are contemporary and efficient methods to restore your teeth’s original color if they have already darkened.
- Professional Teeth Cleaning
Tartar, plaque, and surface stains that have formed over time can be removed using this treatment.
Cleaning Methods:
- Ultrasonic scaling eliminates germs and breaks down tartar.
- Air polishing (Air Flow): This method removes stains and plaque by applying pressure to a solution of air, water, and a specific powder.
- Polishing: Reduces pigment absorption by smoothing the enamel surface.
Duration of Procedure: 30-60 minutes.
Recommendation: Should be done 1-2 times a year.
- Teeth Whitening
Whitening procedures may be a good option, if professional cleaning does not achieve the desired outcomes.
- Laser Whitening: is a rapid technique that lightens enamel by 4-8 shades using a specific gel, which is triggered by a laser.
- Photobleaching (ZOOM, Beyond Polus): Uses an LED lamp to activate a whitening gel, so in result you get teeth by 5-12 shades of lightening.
- Chemical Whitening: Perfect for deep stains (like tetracycline stains), this method uses potent whitening compounds without the need for light activation.
- At-Home Whitening; Custom-made trays with whitening gel that gradually brighten enamel, but this tape of whitening is safe only under dentist supervision program.
Procedure duration: 30 to 90 minutes (for in-office procedures).
Results Last: From 1 to 3 years with proper dental care.
- Aesthetic Tooth Restoration
If teeth are excessively dark or damaged dentists can recommend other techniques to restore the color of enamel.
- Veneers – Ultra-thin ceramic shells bonded to the teeth to create a flawless white smile.
- Composite Bonding – A quick solution to change tooth color using composite materials, which are sculpted directly onto the tooth.
Placement time: 1-2 weeks.
Lifespan: Veneers last up to 15 years
Conclusion
There are several remedies for the widespread problem of darkened teeth. To restore a bright, white smile, you can select the finest whitening or restoration technique based on the reason for the discolouration.
Schedule a consultation at KClinic now and we will help you find the perfect solution for a white smile!