Have your teeth started to discolor or turn yellow? Teeth stains are a common problem that can be caused by a variety of things, including coffee, tea, soda, smoking, and aging. While some teeth stains can be removed with regular brushing, others may require more intensive whitening treatments. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the causes of teeth stains and some common teeth whitening treatments.
Our very own Dr. Daniel Adelpour was featured in an article (read here), where he was asked to highlight the differences between the two main types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic.
- “Extrinsic stains affect the outer layer of your tooth called enamel and are usually formed from eating or drinking foods that are dark in color, or foods that have tannins such as red wine and coffee.” Other causes of extrinsic stains include smoking and certain medications, such as tetracycline.
- “Intrinsic stains affect an inner layer of your tooth called dentin. These strains are not formed by things we eat but instead by certain medications, aging, and dental histories, such as the tooth not forming correctly, or previous fillings or root canal procedures that leave the tooth dead inside and therefore discolored,” he says.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
There are a variety of teeth whitening treatments available, both at-home and in-office. At-home treatments include whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and whitening gels. These treatments typically take longer to achieve results than in-office treatments, but they can be just as effective. In-office treatments include professional teeth cleaning and bleaching and typically take one to two hours to complete.
At BLVD Dental in Mid-Wilshire, Dr. Adelpour whitens teeth with the Zoom Teeth Whitening System. Our professional-grade whitening gel penetrates deep. When paired with Blue LED light-accelerated technology, we can deliver rapid results while protecting the enamel, reducing sensitivity, and improving luster.
Our differences make us beautiful. Just like how people have different hair or eye colors, the shades of our teeth differ from person to person. For this reason, Dr. Adelpour individualizes the teeth whitening experiences and helps patients achieve a shade that works for them. If you’re concerned about teeth stains, schedule an appointment with your BLVD dentist so you can talk about which treatment option is right for you!
