Everyone wants perfectly white teeth, but our teeth can't repel or avoid stains at all times. Our teeth are porous, and stain-causing particles get trapped on the surfaces of our teeth, resulting in discoloration or a yellowish or dark hue.
The only way to thoroughly remove these stains is with professional teeth whitening and maintain excellent oral hygiene.
Why Our Teeth Stain Over Time
There are two reasons why teeth darken over time: consumables (foods and drinks) and aging.
#1 Foods and Drinks
Perhaps the most apparent reason our teeth darken is the foods and beverages we consume. Teeth darken because what we eat and drink will cause staining on the enamel surface and build up over time, making teeth appear darker. This type of darkening is easily removed with a good professional dental cleaning and some simple teeth whitening because it is just on the surface.
#2 Aging
One of the main reasons why our teeth darken is from aging. Teeth naturally darken over our lifetime as we age. The inner portion of a tooth, called dentin, naturally turns a dark yellow color with age and shines through the enamel and so it makes a tooth look dark or yellow.
This type of darkening can be reversed to a certain extent with teeth whitening. But it requires using a more concentrated whitening gel and longer wear time. The whitening gel must "soak" through the enamel and settle into the dentin to lighten it. That is why it takes longer and needs a more potent gel.
Contact Your North Tampa Dentist
Do you have stains on your teeth? Schedule an appointment for a teeth-whitening consultation by contacting our Tampa Dental office today.