Tooth Discolouration Tooth discoloration is a problem many patients come to our office about and since your smile is the first thing people see, tooth discoloration can be a big problem for some people. There are mainly 3 types of tooth discoloration that occur in the mouth.
The first type of tooth discoloration is called extrinsic discoloration. This occurs on the outside of the tooth and is usually caused by food stains such as coffee, wine and similar coloured foods and beverages. These types of discolorations can be prevented with good home care by brushing, flossing and rinsing after meals. They can also be removed by your hygienist during your cleanings. The second type of tooth discoloration is known as intrinsic discoloration. This type occurs on the inside of your tooth and affects the dentin layer. This can be caused by a number of reasons of which include too much fluoride as a child, tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, trauma to the tooth or hereditary conditions such as dentinogenesis imperfecta. These types of tooth discoloration are a little more difficult to eliminate. Some of these minor discolorations can be removed with bleaching products, however deeper tooth discolorations might need more drastic treatment. This can be done through dental bonding, veneers or crowns, depending on the amount of discoloration and the financial circumstances. The third type of tooth discoloration is age-related discoloration. This is usually a combination of both extrinsic and intrinsic staining and therefore a combination of the above-mentioned treatments may be needed. Tooth discoloration is usually a cosmetic problem and therefore is not considered to be dental emergencies. However, it is best to see your local dentist if you are concerned about the colour of your teeth and discuss your options. For a dentist in Langley give us a call today!