When you picture a healthy smile, what comes to mind? Chances are, you see bright, white rows of teeth. Picture the way they stand out when they’re next to darker teeth. Don’t they look so unhealthy and unattractive? They can even make a patient look much older than they are!
When we get older, we lose some of the protective enamel on our teeth, and they become more sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks. Over time, the way we eat can wear down our dental enamel. Taking good care of your teeth can stop this from happening, and this includes a much-needed teeth whitening session.
What Makes a Tooth Go from Wonderfully White to Dimly Discolored?
Often, discoloration and stains on a tooth’s surface result from years of eating, drinking, or substances we have been exposed to. The colors are indelibly written into the teeth’s surface and cannot be permanently removed.
- A dark tooth can mean that the tooth has sustained an injury. This tooth injury is similar to a bruise; a bruise is where the blood vessels are damaged under the skin. The discoloration could be blood.
- If a tooth is injured, the nerve inside it may be damaged, and the tooth may become dark in color. The blood vessels need to be kept healthy for the nerve inside the tooth to be healthy. If a tooth is dead, the nerve inside it is destroyed.
Keeping an injured or dead tooth clean is extremely important because it could develop an infection, spreading to tissues around the tooth and other parts of the body.
Any of the above cases require a professional dentist’s intervention for other invasive procedures apart from teeth whitening.
How Do You Treat Dimly Discolored Teeth?
Much like the saying goes, there are many ways to recolor dark teeth:
- One of the easiest ways to improve a smile is teeth whitening. One visit to the dentist can significantly whiten your teeth, and you will leave with a brand-new, beautiful grin.
- Another option is to install porcelain veneers. These tooth-like coverings are an excellent solution for anyone who wants to keep their natural teeth but cover dark stains or discoloration, especially if they are no longer treatable via whitening.
- If an adult tooth is darkly discolored, it is probably dead or dying. If it is dead, it will need to be extracted, or it will require root canal therapy to remove the nerve and damaged pulp. Some cases may also benefit from whitening a damaged tooth. Patients may also benefit from caps or veneers to hide damaged teeth.
Once the tooth in question has been extracted, dental implants are another way to restore a bright, white smile. Your dentist will recommend either a bridge or crown, which will require a root replacement by installing a metal screw.
Keep in mind that this last process occurs in extreme cases where non-invasive, topical procedures can no longer save the tooth. In the case of a bridge, your dentist will anchor the fake tooth in between two natural teeth to cover the exposed gums and restore both function and aesthetics.
For crowns and root replacements, your dentist will need to install a metal screw by implanting it below the gumline and wait for it to bond before attaching the crown.
Book Teeth Whitening in Chattanooga Now
Suppose you have dark teeth and are ready to enjoy a brighter smile, schedule a teeth whitening session with your dentist. They’ll help you identify the causes of your discoloration and decide the best course of action to tackle the problem. Every patient has unique needs for dental care, so professional advice is a must.
Call Shallowford Family Dental right now for teeth whitening in Chattanooga today! Our four dentists bring over 75 years of combined dental experience in a modern, state-of-the-art facility that provides dedication and care to all patients. We’re accepting bookings, so schedule your appointment now!