If you’ve always wanted a brighter smile, Dr. Efthimios Koveos can help. Stained and yellow teeth are a cosmetic dental concern that many patients have. That’s why we provide treatment for discolored teeth in Sarasota, FL, at Integrated Dental. Dr. Koveos will work with you to lift tooth stains and meet your cosmetic goals.
Why Do I Have Discolored Teeth?
From the beverages to drink to genetics, you can develop tooth stains or discolored teeth for many reasons. Some tooth stains happen on the surface, while others develop deep inside the tooth. The most common reasons include:
- Foods and Drinks: Some foods and drinks can leave stains on your teeth over time. Coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and dark berries are common culprits. These items contain dark-colored pigments that can stick to the outer layer of your teeth, called enamel. Even if you brush and floss, it can be hard to remove stains without professional treatment.
- Medication: Certain medications can affect the color of your teeth, especially if you took them when you were younger and your teeth were still developing. Some antibiotics, like tetracycline, can cause gray or brown stains. Even some mouth rinses and allergy medications may lead to discoloration over time.
- Dental Trauma: If you’ve had an injury to your mouth, the tooth may change color. A tooth that turns gray or dark could have internal damage or a dying nerve. This kind of discoloration usually affects only one tooth and may require special treatment.
- Aging: As you get older, your enamel becomes thinner. When this happens, the yellow layer underneath, called dentin, starts to show through. Every day wear and tear can also cause small cracks in the enamel, which can collect stains more easily.
- Genetics: Sometimes, tooth color is something you inherit from your family. Some people naturally have thicker enamel or whiter teeth than others. If you’ve always had teeth that seem more yellow or dark, genetics could be the reason.
Tooth stains can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic stains develop within the tooth and create deep discoloration that can be hard to remove. Extrinsic stains are on the outside of your teeth and are best removed with professional whitening. Dr. Koveos will find the right treatment to tackle your stains.
Treating Discolored Teeth at Integrated Dental
Dr. Koveos provides multiple discolored teeth treatments in his Sarasota, FL, dental office. If you have extrinsic stains, he’ll recommend professional whitening. You can also get cosmetic treatment for deeper tooth stains.
Tooth Whitening
One of the most popular ways to treat tooth stains is with professional teeth whitening. Dr. Koveos offers several whitening options, including Opalescence PF, Opalescence GO, and Zoom QuickPro. These treatments are much stronger than store-bought whitening products. They can remove surface stains and lighten the color of your teeth safely and effectively.
We use Opalescence PF and Zoom QuickPro in our office. You can take Opalescence GO home with custom trays that fit your teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
If your teeth have deep stains that whitening treatments can’t remove, porcelain veneers may be a better option. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of your teeth. We can place veneers on one tooth or all the teeth that show when you smile, also called the “smile zone.” Veneers can completely change the color, shape, and size of your teeth
Dental Bonding
We recommend teeth bonding if you have a damaged and discolored tooth. Bonding uses a tooth-colored resin that we apply and shape to match your natural tooth. It can fix chips, cracks, and stains on a single tooth. This treatment is quick, affordable, and takes just one office visit.
How to Keep Your Teeth White
Once you’ve completed treatment, you want to ensure your results last. We recommend these tips to keep your teeth bright:
- Brush and Floss Daily: Good oral hygiene is the key to a bright smile. Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This helps remove plaque and surface stains before they build up. Don’t forget to floss once a day to clean between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Brushing and flossing can remove surface stains.
- Get Touch-Up Whitening: If you’ve had professional whitening, your results may fade over time. Dr. Koveos can recommend touch-up whitening treatments to help you maintain a bright smile. Depending on your habits and needs, a quick touch-up once or twice a year may be all you need to keep your teeth looking their best.
- Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks: Some foods and drinks are more likely to stain your teeth. Try to limit dark-colored items like coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and berries. If you do enjoy them, drink water right afterward or use a straw to keep the liquid from touching your front teeth. Also, avoid smoking or using tobacco products, as these can cause stubborn yellow or brown stains.
- Get a Dental Cleaning Twice a Year: Even if you brush and floss every day, you still need regular professional cleanings. We recommend visiting Integrated Dental every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Our team can remove plaque and tartar that brushing alone can’t clean off. These visits also give Dr. Koveos a chance to check on your teeth and catch any issues early.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Do you want whiter teeth? Give your smile a boost with discolored teeth treatment in Sarasota, FL. Call our office at 941-270-9755. You can also request an appointment with us online.