We all know that as people age they begin to change in appearance.
Maturing skin, for instance, has different needs than young skin, and it must
be maintained accordingly. What many patients don’t initially consider is that
aging teeth are also different than younger teeth and enamel. The unavoidable
truth is that teeth become darker and yellow with age. Many cosmetic patients
are looking for ways to refresh and rejuvenate their smiles, and the good news
is that now there are more teeth whitening and brightening options than ever
before!
Dental staining is a common cause of tooth discoloration—it’s often the
product of consuming discoloring substances. Drinks like tea, cola, and coffee
can darken teeth over time. Additionally, dark berries and chocolate may shade
teeth. Tobacco is another primary culprit of cosmetic problems. Both smoking
and chewing tobacco leave dental enamel streaked and dingy looking.
At the same time, natural changes to tooth enamel during the aging
process can make teeth appear yellow or dark. Young, strong dental enamel is
white and bright. Enamel covers a darker layer of a substance called dentin.
When enamel is strong it covers dentin completely, which is why teeth look sparkling
white when they are younger. However, enamel naturally wears down with age,
becoming thinner and more translucent. As a result, yellow dentin shows through
the surface of the enamel, causing the entire teeth to appear darker.
Many of these changes are inevitable; they come along with aging and normal
eating and chewing habits. In our Longmont cosmetic dentist office, for
instance, we find that many patients with exceptional oral hygiene habits still
experience some discoloration as they become older. Although your teeth are
bound to change, there are some effective cosmetic treatments that will whiten
dental enamel quickly and easily.
One of the most popular cosmetic options is professional dental bleaching.
Using hydrogen or carbamide peroxide we can bleach stains and renew white
dental enamel. Teeth bleaching is painless, and patients see results after only
one or two sessions. If you have dental stains that are resistant to
traditional whitening methods you may benefit from dental Lumineers. Lumineers
are thin layers of porcelain that are placed directly over dental enamel. Consequently,
they can give patients the white teeth they want regardless of the cosmetic
problem.