How To Fix Stained Teeth | How To Fix Discolored Teeth

Americans are bravely fighting the battle against tooth discoloration. In recent years, the use of tooth whiteners has steadily been on the rise with over 40 million users in 2018.

As we age, our teeth tend to lose their pearly whiteness and turn a little yellow. Some habits, like drinking dark soda or smoking, can hurry this natural process along.

No one wants to flash a smile full of discolored teeth. Thankfully, there are many methods you can use to fight your own battle against tooth discoloration. Let's take a look at common types of teeth stains and how to fix discolored teeth.

Extrinsic Stains: Teeth have a thin film of protein that covers the tooth enamel. Pigmented particles can buildup in this film and create stains.

This type of teeth stain usually happens because of eating or drinking highly pigmented foods, like coffee or red wine. Habits like chewing or smoking tobacco can also have this undesirable effect.

Intrinsic Stains: These types of teeth stains involve staining particles making their way into the tooth enamel itself. Intrinsic stains typically occur in young children from a variety of causes. These include:

• Antibiotic use in young children or their pregnant mother
  
• Tooth trauma
  
• Internal bleeding in the tooth
  
• Too much fluoride exposure

While fluoride is generally good for preventing tooth decay, too much can lead to unsightly white stains on teeth. This typically happens in children under six. Unfortunately, those stains show up on their permanent ones, meaning they have to deal with white stains on teeth as adults.

You can stop bleeding gums before they start with good oral care. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and after eating to avoid plaque buildup.

Use a high-quality toothbrush and an anticavity toothpaste. You should also floss between your teeth thoroughly to keep pesky plaque from building up between your teeth.

A mouthwash that doesn't contain alcohol can help sweet excess plaque and debris out of your mouth. With regular brushing and visits to your dentist, you stand a better chance at stopping gum bleeding.

In some cases, your dentist may need to perform a deep cleaning of your teeth and mouth. This intensive process will help to scrub your teeth and gums and remove any bacteria and other buildups.

You should visit your dentist twice a year for regular deep cleanings and an oral x-ray. The x-ray can help your dentist identify any potential damage to your teeth, and it's a good preventative measure against more severe dental problems.

When you combine healthy brushing and flossing habits at home with regular professional cleanings, you stand a good chance at stopping gum bleeding. Whether you have bleeding gums when brushing or bleeding gums without brushing, it's best to address the issue as soon as you can.

Now that we understand a bit about the different types of teeth stains, let's look at how to fix tooth discoloration. There are several effective methods. Which type will work for you depends on the type of teeth stains you have and if you have any other problems that need to be addressed.

If you really want to know the best route for how to stop gum bleeding, laser dentistry is highly recommended. This process involves using lasers to treat gum disease in place of the standard dental tools.

Laser dentistry is highly effective at treating a number of conditions, and it's a lot less painful than traditional methods, too. The process involves using a tiny laser that's about as thick as three human hairs.

When the dentist applies the laser to your gums, it kills germs located throughout the infected area including the tooth itself, gum tissue, and the root of the tooth. The laser is also used to stimulate stem cells that contain blood in the root pocket.

By stimulating blood flow, it promotes healthier gums and less bleeding. The laser treatment can also seal the tissue located around and against the root of your teeth.

When a seal is created, it forms a protective barrier around your teeth to keep bacteria and plaque out. Over time, your mouth will regenerate new collagen and connective tissues for healthier gums and teeth.

Talk to your dentist about laser dentistry to found out about how you can use it to prevent or stop gum bleeding completely. This method is highly effective, fairly painless, and fast.

According to the CDC,

half of all American adults have some form of periodontal disease. That's why it's extremely important that you make regular visits to your dentist and address any gum bleeding as soon as you can.

Now that you're aware of the many forms of bleeding gums treatment, you can take proactive steps to get relief. When it comes to understanding how to stop gum bleeding, good oral health and visits to your dentist are your best line of defense.

Regular Cleanings to Prevent Tooth Discoloration

Brushing and flossing regularly is a great way to prevent tooth discoloration. Cleaning pigmented particles away before they have a chance to settle into your teeth is an effective prevention method.

Regular cleanings with your dentist help clear away any pigments that may start to build up anyway. Many types of teeth stains can be cleaned away by the dentist's brush, extrinsic stains in particular.

Tooth Whitening

Tougher extrinsic stains may require tooth whitening treatments. There are a variety of options ranging from over-the-counter treatments, at-home treatments you can buy from your dentist, and professional whitening treatments in your dentist's office.

Veneers

You can remove most extrinsic stains with a tooth whitening regimen. Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are harder to remove. Oftentimes, these stains can't be removed and will have to be covered over.

Veneers are an excellent option for this when the tooth has no other issues. The dentist will simply grind the front of your tooth lightly to make it rough. This helps a thin sheet of porcelain or composite to adhere to the front of the tooth.

Once covered over, those embarrassing white stains on teeth are no longer visible. Veneers are durable and look and feel like regular teeth.

Veneers aren't too expensive but are usually considered a cosmetic procedure. Because of this, your insurance may not cover it.

Dental Crown

A dental crown is more involved than veneers. This technique is used when tooth discoloration is not the only problem.

For example, if there were trauma to the tooth and the tooth discoloration is caused by internal bleeding. A root canal may be necessary and part of the tooth may have been chipped off or damaged.

The dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth and fit a dental crown over the remaining part of the tooth. Like veneers, it looks and feels like a regular tooth and covers over tooth discoloration.

Full Mouth Smile Makeover

If your tooth discoloration problem is widespread, you may need to opt for a full mouth smile makeover. This is often the case with white stains on teeth from fluoride overdose or other systemic problems. What affects one tooth affects them all.

A smile makeover is customized to each individual. You may need a simple tooth whitening to take care of some extrinsic tooth discoloration.

Mildly crooked teeth may require a few veneers to cover them over and give the appearance of straight teeth. More severe cases may require braces or Invisalign. Finally, damaged teeth may require root canals and dental crowns.

Regardless, modern dentistry has plenty of tricks for getting rid of all types of teeth stains and other problems. Kiss those yellow, dark, or white stains on your teeth goodbye and enjoy a dazzling new smile.

You'll feel like a whole new you!

Everyone deserves to enjoy a smile free from tooth discoloration. Thankfully, modern dentistry has options for all types of teeth stains. With one or more of these procedures, you can say goodbye to yellow, dark, and white stains on teeth for good.