Teeth stains happen for a variety of reasons starting with dark food and drinks, oral care, and medication use. Stains can form on the surface of the teeth or beneath them in the enamel. It is not uncommon for both types to develop at the same time. If you’re looking for a way to remove your teeth stains you should consider contacting a dentist. He can suggest a whitening treatment or perhaps getting veneers in Albania. The latter is a permanent solution for yellow teeth which is provided at much more affordable prices in Albania.
Types of Tooth Stain
Below are three stains that may tarnish your smile during different periods of your life:
Extrinsic stains
When the outer layer of each tooth called enamel is stained it is called an extrinsic stain. The enamel is the layer that protects the soft part of the tooth found underneath, also known as dentin. Although enamel is the hardest part of the tooth it still gets in touch with any food or drinks you put in your mouth. Orange and nicotine are examples of this. As time passes, this get-in-touch situation affects the enamel because it absorbs some colors from food and drinks you consume, resulting in a stain.
The positive side of the whole process is that the extrinsic stains do not move beneath the enamel and do not have any contact with the tooth’s dentin. This makes them easier to remove using only a home teeth-whitening system.
Intrinsic stains
Intrinsic stains occur when the stain affected dentin, referred to as the sensitive layer and found underneath the enamel. The following are some things you should be aware of regarding dentin and intrinsic stains:
- Dentin has a darker yellow color than enamel.
- Dentin only shows when the enamel is thinned out or corrodes from non-correct oral care.
- Though intrinsic stains are a tad tricky to remove, they can still be removed after all.
Active whitening ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are the way to go for home treatment. However, a professional whitening treatment would be a far better and more efficient one.
Age-related stain
It is part of human nature for the body to change with time. As you age, changes happen in your teeth too, changes such as:
- Your dentin becomes a darker color.
- Your enamel starts thinning.
The combination of both causes teeth discoloration, which, unfortunately, is beyond your control, no matter how attentive you are to your oral health. Just like intrinsic stains, age-related stains affect the dentin of your teeth. Teeth whitening in Albania works for both intrinsic stains and stains due to aging.
What causes staining on teeth
There are several different factors that stain your teeth. Some of them can be prevented, while others may be out of your control.
- Dark-colored food and drinks such as tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, red wine, and fruits like berries can all contribute to teeth staining.
- Chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes can cause teeth discoloration.
- When you don’t brush your teeth at least twice a day and don’t floss after each meal, as well as having poor dental care, plaque is formed. This leads to discolored teeth.
- Medications such as those used for high blood pressure, chemotherapy, antihistamines, and antipsychotics can leave stains.
Removing tooth stains
It does not matter whether you are trying to remove extrinsic, intrinsic, or age-related stains. We will show you how to get rid of them.
At-home whitening
While the products listed below work mostly on extrinsic stains, if the product you purchased contains hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide it may also work on intrinsic and age-related stains. Noteworthy: Be careful because these items can cause tooth sensitivity. Some of these products may work better when combined with an LED light.
Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash:
If you have proper dental hygiene, you most likely brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss after every meal, and use mouthwash daily. Using all these products makes it easier to remove stains. Nonetheless, there are other things you should know.
- The products lift off stains day by day which in turn should make your teeth look gradually whiter.
- Some kinds of toothpaste are compounded with whitening ingredients that help eliminate deep-set stains. While others only clean surface stains.
- When you are using teeth-whitening products to remove stains quickly, you should also consider using whitening toothpaste and mouthwash which will maintain the brightness of your smile.
Tooth Whitening Gel:
Tooth whitening gels are available over the counter (without a prescription from a dentist). And they contain peroxide-based bleaching agents. Here’s their revelation:
- Seeing as the gel has high amounts of peroxide compared to the whitening toothpaste, it will be necessary to use a tray that normally comes with the gel.
- By using the tray, you can ensure that the gel stays in contact only with your teeth and not with the rest of your mouth.
- Customized trays (created by a dentist in Tirana) are usually more efficient and they offer better protection of the gums, but unfortunately, they can have a really high cost compared to other over-the-counter options.
Tooth whitening strips:
Tooth whitening strips are another whitening solution that uses whitening gel. However in this case the gel is pre-applied for easier application and without the need for a tray. Please keep in mind that:
- Tooth whitening strips can cause tooth sensitivity, especially if the product has a dominance of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
- The package directions should be carefully followed considering that whitening strips need extra care to wear. Strips should not be placed over the gum line since they may cause irritation to the gum tissue.
Whitening pen:
This at-home method is an amazing option for those who are always on the go. It can fit in your purse, pocket, or handbag. Nevertheless, before you buy a whitening pen, you should know the following:
- It is a quick and easy way.
- It works by only applying a thin layer to your teeth.
- You can control where the gel spreads, unlike whitening strips.
- The gel bleaching agents aren’t as strong as in other whitening solutions.
- Convenience is the key.
In-office whitening
A viable whitening option for those whose teeth stains won’t budge even after at-home whitening methods is professional in-office whitening, which can remove deep stains from your teeth. Though this option is believed to be the most effective way to lighten discolored teeth, it can be a touch heavy on the pocket. So if the price tag seems a bit high to you, check out if your city or area has low-cost dental clinics that offer whitening services.
The bottom line
Discoloration of teeth is the result of a variety of factors and can happen to anybody. The most common cause of it is pigmented foods and beverages, as well as cigarette smoke, cigar smoke, or chewed tobacco that contains pigments. With the aid of a professional dentist it is possible to eliminate or reduce the appearance of surface stains on your teeth. If you’re interested in receiving a teeth whitening treatment contact Dr. Roland Zhuka. He will recommend the best treatment for your case and give you a free quote.