My Teeth Have Become Discolored with Age: Can You Help?

Do you go out of your way to hide your smile due to yellow or discolored teeth? If so, you’re in good company. A study conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) found that about one in four Americans feels the same way.

Sometimes tooth discoloration is the result of habits, like drinking coffee or using tobacco. In other cases, it’s unavoidable and happens due to aging or disease. Regardless, professional teeth whitening can treat the problem and restore your smile to a brighter, more vibrant appearance.

At Family Dental Group, with offices in Gardner, Northborough, and Paxton, Massachusetts, Nikhil Lavana, DMD, Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, and our team use professional teeth whitening to brighten smiles. Read on to learn why tooth discoloration occurs, when to talk to a dentist, and how teeth whitening can help.

What causes tooth discoloration?

Tooth discoloration happens for various reasons, including genetics, aging, and poor oral hygiene. Even so, there are two main types:

Extrinsic

This type of discoloration affects the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. Common causes of extrinsic tooth discoloration include drinking beverages like coffee, soda, and red wine, or using tobacco.

Intrinsic

This type of discoloration affects the inner layer of your teeth, called the dentin. The dentin is naturally yellow, so if your enamel wears down or you suffer dental trauma, like a cracked or injured tooth, it becomes more visible. Certain medications can also cause intrinsic discoloration.

When to see a dentist about tooth discoloration

In most cases, tooth discoloration is a cosmetic concern. For example, you might avoid smiling or laughing around others because of how your teeth look.

Depending on the severity of the discoloration, whitening toothpaste or over-the-counter (OTC) whitening trays may help brighten your teeth. However, the results are often minimal, only last a few weeks, and can damage your enamel due to stronger bleaching agents or improper use.

That’s why we encourage anyone who wants a more vibrant smile to consider professional teeth whitening. Not only is it more effective, it’s gentler on your enamel and offers noticeable results after a single treatment.

Professional teeth whitening: What to expect

Professional teeth whitening is a quick in-office procedure that usually takes 60-90 minutes.

During treatment, we apply a professional-grade whitening solution to your teeth. After the solution sits for 15-20 minutes, we activate it with a curing light, triggering a process that oxidizes the stains within your enamel. This reaction cuts through the stains, making your smile noticeably brighter.

We repeat the same steps several times until you’re satisfied with the results. Then, we provide post-treatment instructions to make sure your smile stays bright. Brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and drinking dark beverages through a straw can go a long way toward supporting this effort.

Severe discoloration may require a different approach

Though most people respond well to professional teeth whitening, deep stains or discoloration may require a different approach. For example, cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as veneers and dental bonding, can help mask age-related discoloration that whitening doesn’t fix.

If you have tooth discoloration in addition to a cavity, we may recommend white composite fillings, which can help your restoration blend in.

Request a teeth whitening consultation today

Age-related tooth discoloration is common and treatable. If you’re ready to brighten your smile, request a teeth whitening consultation today. To schedule a new patient visit, call our nearest office or book online.