Why Do Teeth Become Discolored with Age?

When your baby teeth first come in, they’re pearly white, as are your permanent teeth, which erupt at about 6-10 years old. Unfortunately, our teeth become dingy and discolored as we age, and we may not feel like smiling.

At Shara Miller DDS, our expert team of dental providers in our South Beach, Miami, Florida, and Midtown, New York City, New York, offices understand how uncomfortable a dingy smile can make you feel, which is why we offer teeth whitening services and veneers, both of which can turn your frown upside down. Here’s how.

Why do teeth become discolored with age?

Teeth become discolored for two primary reasons: staining from food and drink and aging.

As the years pile up, so, too, do the stains. Culprits like dark sodas, coffee, tea, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and red wine can all leave an indelible mark on your enamel. If you don’t brush and floss consistently or correctly, the stains cling to the teeth until nothing you do unseats them. They need to get cleaned professionally.

The other part, aging, differs in that the discoloration is intrinsic — that is, it comes from within the body. As you age, the whitish enamel on your teeth begins to thin, revealing the inner dentin beneath, which is yellowish, making the teeth look dingy and yellow.

Another contributor is that the amount of yellowish dentin increases with age, making the teeth less translucent and appearing darker.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and lightening the shade of your teeth. When you come in for teeth whitening, the dentist first covers your tongue and other soft tissues so they're not damaged. Then, they apply the whitening solution, which contains some form of peroxide, a bleaching agent, onto the front areas of your teeth.

The solution penetrates tiny openings in your tooth enamel to break up stains and boost your smile as it whitens the teeth.

The entire procedure takes under an hour, you don't need any preparation, and there's no downtime afterward. You can go about your day knowing you're showing your best smile to the world.

If you'd rather whiten your teeth in the comfort of your home, we can provide you with a tray-based, at-home whitening kit. The trays are custom-made to fit your mouth.

When you're ready to start, place a thin line of professional-strength whitening gel into the trays before placing them over your upper or lower teeth. The trays fit snugly, which allows the whitening gel to remain in contact with your teeth the entire time. Once complete, remove the trays and rinse your mouth out thoroughly.

At-home kits allow you to control how bright your smile becomes. You can use any remaining gel to give your teeth a brightening boost as needed. 

What are veneers?

Not everybody’s a good candidate for teeth whitening. If you fall into this category, you may benefit from dental veneers. These wafer-thin shells, usually made of porcelain or composite resin, cover the front of your teeth and can be shaded to any whiteness you want.

Dental veneers are also a cosmetic option if you have slightly gapped teeth, uneven lengths of teeth, or chips or cracks that need to be covered.

Porcelain is the go-to choice, not just for its durability but also for its ability to reflect light the way a natural tooth would.

If you’re unhappy with discolored teeth, Shara Miller DDS can help. To schedule a consultation to determine the best treatment for you, contact us by calling one of our offices or booking on the website today.