Do you ever wish that your teeth were whiter???? Very often, the distinction between a good smile and a great smile is the whiteness of the teeth. This leads to some people worry needlessly about the overall color of their teeth. For e.g. A person with light complexion may believe that his/her teeth are too dark when actually they are normal in color. A Sun tan, darker makeup or a darker lipstick will usually make teeth appear much whiter by increasing the contrast between the teeth and the surrounding facial features. But, many people have definite aesthetic problems which require treatment. The treatment for discolored teeth is based on treating the causes for discoloration.



Causes for discoloration of Teeth:

Extrinsic {on the surface} causes: These include discoloration caused by - Tea, coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods, tobacco smoking, bacteria producing colored pigments, salivary protein layer covering the tooth surface, tooth decay or a broken down filling.

Intrinsic{changes in the tooth material} causes: These include discoloration caused by- Excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood , Use of tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy causing stained teeth in the child, Use of tetracycline antibiotics at the age of or before 8 years , Trauma affecting a tooth at childhood. The loss of blood supply and nerve supply can by itself cause discoloration of the tooth.

Age-related discoloration: This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Foods and smoking also can stain teeth as people get older. Finally, chipping or other injuries also can discolor a tooth, especially when the pulp {nerve} has been damaged.

Treatment for Discolored Teeth:

1. Many extrinsic stains can be removed by regular professional cleanings and home care. Good home care includes brushing, flossing and rinsing after meals.
   
2. If a broken down filling or a cavity is the cause, filling the defect will improve the discoloration.
   
3. Discoloration resistant to cleaning or intrinsic stains can be corrected or greatly improved through conservative procedures such as Bleaching, Micro abrasion or Veneering.
   
4. Bleaching will not lighten some stains. In this case, your dentist may recommend covering the discolored areas. This also may be useful when the tooth is chipped or badly damaged .A tooth can be covered with a color-matched composite bonding material or veneers {thin ceramic shells that cover the outer surfaces of the teeth}
   
5. If your tooth has darkened after a root canal, bleaching the enamel won't help. Your dentist can apply a bleaching material to the inside of the tooth, or you may consider a crown or veneer.
   
6. Stains caused by tetracycline medications usually require more than one form of treatment depending upon the type of stains.
   
7. Age related stains can be treated using the combination of above mentioned treatments.