Do you have yellow, discolored teeth? Are white spots on your teeth keeping you from smiling your best?
Stained and discolored teeth can make you look older than your years, or diminish your sense of confidence when interacting with others. For most patients, restoring your smile to a brighter, whiter smile can be quick, economical, and painless. Dr. Trushar Patel offers professional teeth whitening at Westborough Dental Associates in Westborough, MA.
When compared to over-the-counter whitening options, professional teeth whitening provides consistent, safe, and lasting results. Professional teeth whitening at the dentist is the only way to quickly guarantee white teeth that stay white for a long time. Store-bought options are not catered to your specific dental concerns and often harm your teeth more than help brighten them.
Why Are My Teeth Discolored?
The first step towards a whiter smile is to evaluate your dental health and determine the cause of your tooth stains or discoloration. In many cases, it is the result of aging and the impact of lifestyle habits such as smoking, eating dark foods, and drinking sugary beverages that stain your teeth over time. For most patients, we can recommend in-office teeth whitening treatments and at-home teeth whitening trays.
Dr. Patel will help you meet your aesthetic goals in as little as a single visit. Your treatment results can be maintained by minimizing certain lifestyle habits and periodic touch-ups. Dr. Patel will give you tips on how to maintain your white teeth at home. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming coffee, tea, and darker fruits can also help reduce new stains.
Alternatives to Professional Teeth Whitening
There are certain types of tooth stains and discoloration that will not respond to professional tooth bleaching. These can include tooth staining as a result of certain medications, medical conditions, and genetic factors affecting tooth color. If it is determined that your teeth will not respond to teeth whitening treatments, Dr. Patel offers a range of alternative options for achieving a whiter smile.
- Dental Fillings: If dark fillings are visible when you smile, we can replace them with natural-looking white fillings for a quick smile makeover. This will also improve your dental health in the process.
- Dental Crowns: For a single discolored tooth, a dental crown can match your smile and improve overall aesthetics. A tooth crown is also known as a cap and covers the entire tooth after it has been filed down.
- Porcelain Veneers: We can place porcelain veneers to cover one or several teeth. Dr. Patel installs porcelain veneers on the front of teeth and will color-match them to the surrounding teeth so no one will ever know they are there.
- Cosmetic Tooth Bonding: We can change the color of your teeth using a tooth bonding treatment. This is especially helpful for fixing deep white spots on a single tooth, or multiple teeth.
Discolored Teeth FAQs
Read answers to frequently asked questions about discolored teeth.
What is the best treatment for discolored teeth?
The best treatment for you is determined by what your end goals are. Do you want a permanent solution that will whiten your teeth? Porcelain veneers are a great solution that can deliver a Hollywood smile.
Not only can they whiten teeth but they can also disguise other blemishes such as crooked or gap teeth. A dental crown can also be used to cover one discolored tooth. These are permanent solutions that must be maintained for a lifetime. Bleaching and bonding are both excellent choices that are not permanent but are very affordable.
How can I prevent my teeth from becoming discolored?
A proper oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth multiple times a day and flossing at least once will keep your teeth healthy which will keep them bright. Extra steps include brushing your teeth after you consume tooth-staining beverages or food.
This includes beverages like wine and coffee and also very dark sauces. Limiting these types of drinks and food will also help. Never skip your dentist appointments either. Here, your teeth will be professionally clean which will remove stains.
What should I do if I notice my teeth are darker after taking a certain medication?
This is something you will need to discuss with your doctor. Let them know that you are concerned with this side effect and seek advice from them. Never discontinue taking your medication because it causes tooth discoloration.
If this is a side effect you must live with, we offer several treatments to whiten your teeth permanently including porcelain veneers and dental crowns. Also, dental bonding is an effective yet affordable way to brighten your smile.
Schedule a Consultation Online
Our cosmetic and restorative dentists serve patients of all ages, backgrounds, and surrounding communities. If you would like to schedule a worry-free consultation and dental checkup, give us a call at 508.366.0550, or schedule a dental visit online today.