Your smile might not be as sparkling and bright as you’d like, and that’s not a problem for us at Livonia Family Dental. For immediate cosmetic dentistry results, we offer a range of teeth whitening services to Livonia, Michigan residents. You may want to know what you can do to prevent a visit to the dentist for teeth whitening. Here are several factors to consider when you find yourself wondering, “Why are my teeth so dull and discolored?”There are two ways that your teeth can become dull and discolored. The first is through extrinsic staining. This means that the reason your teeth aren’t bright and shining is due to staining on the surface of your teeth. Your teeth can be stained a range of shades, from yellowish to brownish, if you ingest any of these:
- Coffee or tea: Unfortunately, one of the prices you’ll pay for your caffeine fix in the morning (or during the afternoon work slump) is a set of duller and discolored teeth which develop over a period of time.
- Nicotine or tobacco: The Surgeon General has warned us for years about the dangers of nicotine and tobacco to the health of our bodies. Using these products also discolors your teeth, especially the front teeth which receive the most exposure to nicotine when you smoke.
- Alcoholic beverages like red wine: It’s great to unwind at the end of the day, but that red wine you’re enjoying can change the color of your teeth.
You can control extrinsic staining by adjusting your intake to coffee, tea, nicotine, tobacco, and red wine.
The other way that your teeth become dull and discolored is through intrinsic staining. Unfortunately, this type of exposure is more difficult to manage on your own. You can acquire intrinsic teeth staining through exposure to certain types of medications (talk to your pharmacist), tooth injury, and excessive exposure to fluoride if your water source contains high amounts.
Regardless of the source of your tooth dullness or discoloration, Livonia Family Dental offers cosmetic dentistry techniques, like teeth whitening, that result in brighter, whiter smiles. Contact us today to discuss your teeth whitening needs!
