Thinning enamel is part of the normal ageing process and can cause your teeth to appear yellow or less white than they were when you were younger. Thinning enamel cannot be avoided completely but with good dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist it can be slowed down. However, there are also other factors which can affect the colour of your teeth and cause two types of discoloration; extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are on the surface of the teeth whilst intrinsic stains involve discoloration of the internal tooth structure.
Extrinsic stains are caused as a result of foods and pigments that discolour the teeth such as tea, coffee, red wine, cola and certain food colourings, both natural and artificial. To maintain beautiful white teeth and healthy enamel it is important that you avoid too many acidic foods, fruits or juices. This is because acidic fruits and juices can erode your teeth over time causing the enamel to become thinner. This does not mean that you avoid fruits and juices, rather you enjoy them in moderation and also maintain good dental hygiene so that you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly after food and drink. Smoking Is also a major culprit of extrinsic stains. You should also speak to your dentist or doctor and find out about smoking cessation.
You may see endless teeth whitening toothpastes that are available at the supermarket and sound really good, however they are abrasive and they whiten your teeth by removing the first layer of enamel therefore it is much safer to speak to your dentist and find out about teeth whitening Macleod.
It is advisable to stay away from brightly coloured foods and drinks as much as possible to avoid staining and damage to the enamel of your teeth. However this is not always possible so you may wish to take up certain habits for example drinking with a straw or making sure you brush your teeth properly after a meal. It is also important that you visit your dentist on a regular basis to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy.
Teeth whitening Macleod
Teeth whitening Macleod is a great way of removing extrinsic stains from your teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. Teeth whitening Macleod can be carried out at your dental practice or it can be carried out in the comfort of your home with a prescribed home treatment kit from your dentist. Teeth whitening Macleod works using hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide which act as bleaching agents. They cause oxygen ions to enter the enamel and break down long stain molecules into smaller, colourless molecules that can be easily removed by cleaning your teeth. In most cases teeth whitening can be carried out in one session that lasts between 60 and 90 minutes with instant results. If you have very stubborn stains, for example if you have been a smoker for many years or if you have avoided the dentist for a long period of time then you may need a repeat whitening session. Teeth whitening at the dentist is safe and we will make sure that it is suitable for you before we begin the process. If you decide to whiten your teeth at home then the treatment kit often takes approximately two weeks to gently whiten your teeth using lower concentrations of the bleaching agents. Both are just as effective and will help you improve the appearance of your smile. If you look after your teeth and visit the dentist in a timely manner then the results can last between one and three years.
Intrinsic stains
If you suffer from intrinsic stains, then you can also speak to your dentist and find out about improving the appearance of your smile. Intrinsic stains occur as a result of a change in the structure of your teeth. For example, tetracycline is a common cause of intrinsic stains. If it is given to a child then it can cause the teeth to become grey or discoloured and this is an irreversible effect which cannot be removed by teeth whitening. Intrinsic stains are also caused if nerves inside the teeth die, for example as a result of tooth decay. If you have a root canal treatment then this can darken and discolour your tooth. This cannot be solved by teeth whitening either. If you suffer from intrinsic stains or extrinsic stains that will not go away with teeth whitening then you need to consider a crown, composite bonding or veneers to restore or improve the colour of your teeth. These are long-term solutions for teeth whitening so speak to your dentist today to find out more.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
