Having white teeth is something many people want. Recent research shows that people in the United State will spend about $1.4 billion each year on products to whiten their teeth. A study found that 32 percent of those surveyed were concerned with how their teeth looked. However, some are unaware that the best whitening treatments are provided by a local dentist. Many dental facilities offer teeth whitening services for various levels of discoloration. In this post, you will learn more about the three main cause of discolored teeth.

Extrinsic Discoloration

The first type of tooth discoloration is extrinsic. This type of discoloration takes place on the outer visible layer of teeth. Extrinsic discoloration comes from a wide variety of sources. Smoking is a common cause of extrinsic discoloration. In many cases, the longer someone smokes, the more discoloration that occurs. Liquids are another common source of extrinsic discoloration. Darker drinks are more commonly known to stain the teeth. If you want to avoid this discoloration type, you will want to limit your intake of coffee, sodas, and wine.

Intrinsic Discoloration

Another type of discoloration is the intrinsic kind. This type of discoloration occurs within the dentin of the tooth. The location of an intrinsic discoloration is often harder to see. Therefore, a dentist might be the one source to let you know if intrinsic discoloration is taking place. In many cases, intrinsic discoloration is something that starts taking place when you are younger. This type of discoloration is often seen in younger patients. Dentin that is heavily damaged may require additional work to get your new smile back again. However, intrinsic discoloration is very treatable.

Discoloration that Comes with Age

Discoloration that comes with age also happens. This special type of discoloration is often brought about by both intrinsic and extrinsic occurrences. Over time, teeth will lose their natural enamel which can cause dentin to change color. If a patient has drunk dark liquids and smoked in the past, the age related discoloration is from primarily external factors.

In summary, there are several reasons that teeth can become discolored. Foods and drinks are two main causes of extrinsic discoloration. Damage to the dentin of the tooth will cause intrinsic discoloration to occur. As you age, natural enamel is lost which can also cause discoloration to occur naturally as you age. A dental facility is a great place to get those white teeth and bright smile back again. One study found that 82.5 percent of patients reported a noticeable difference after having a dentist whiten their teeth.