We all start off in life with pearly white teeth, but as time passes we start noticing that our teeth have lost the luster of our youth. Thankfully there are tooth whitening procedures which can help us achieve whiter, brighter teeth and restore confidence in our smile. Cosmetic dentists use art and science to whiten and brighten the smiles of millions of Americans each year.

Common Causes of Stained Teeth

The most common causes of tooth discoloration are:

• Consuming certain staining foods or drinks. Coffee, tea, red wine, and soda are among the worst culprits for staining teeth. There are also certain fruits and vegetables which can discolor teeth as well, such as beets or dark berries.
• Smoking or chewing tobacco products. Tobacco will stain your teeth and is one of the hardest stains to remove.
• Poor dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly is an important part of keeping your teeth white, as well as your whole mouth healthy.
• Certain types of medications can discolor your teeth, such as tetracycline and doxycycline. These two antibiotics have been shown to lead to tooth discoloration.
• Amalgam (mercury) fillings can stain the surrounding tooth with a gray-black color.
• Aging. It's an inevitable part of life, but as time passes, our teeth can start to become discolored.
• Genetics. Some people are just born with thicker enamel, which will resist the effects of stains on the teeth.
• Trauma to the mouth. Any time you suffer an injury to your mouth, the injury can damage the enamel, as well as damage blood vessels inside the tooth which can make the core of the tooth appear dark.

Tooth Whitening Options

Tooth whitening procedures are very successful at removing most stains and discoloration. There are over-the-counter products, such as toothpastes, gums, or whitening strips, but the results aren't going to be as good as professional whitening procedures.

If you suffer from stained or discolored teeth and are interested in a tooth whitening procedure, a highly trained and artistic cosmetic dentist such as Dr. Jamie Sands or Dr. Jason Sands, serving Burbank and North Hollywood can help.