Why Do Teeth Become Discolored with Age?

A beautiful, bright smile can be your personal superpower. It can make a great first impression, opening doors to new opportunities and relationships. When you’re with a gorgeous white smile, you feel confident and ready to take on the world.

As you age, your teeth can become dull and become discolored. The good news is your bright, white smile is only one appointment away, says Dr. Marcano. Think teeth whitening. 

The effects of natural aging on your teeth

To better understand the impact of aging on teeth, let’s examine their anatomy and what that means regarding brightness and discoloration. The vast majority of all dental issues begin and end with dental enamel, the hard outermost layer of teeth.

Dental enamel is mostly composed of a mineral called hydroxyapatite, which is the hardest substance in your body. This composition allows enamel to perform two important functions: to protect the inside layers of your teeth and to create that pearly white appearance. The downside of enamel is that because it’s a mineral and not a living thing, when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Over the years, the daily, constant bombardment of acidic foods and beverages and the normal wear and tear of chewing take a toll on enamel, causing it to become thinner, allowing the inner dentin layer of your tooth to peek through. That’s where discoloration comes in. As enamel wears, the inner tooth layer, called dentin, shows through. Dentin is naturally a brownish or deep yellow color, which can make your teeth look yellow. 

In-office whitening turns up the volume

Bright smiles are ageless. Professional whitening services are a great option when you have an upcoming special event or if you just want to treat yourself to your best smile ever. Here at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we help patients turn up the volume on their teeth using Philips ZOOM! one of the industry’s most recognizable teeth whitening systems. The best thing about ZOOM! In-office whitening means that we do everything for you, so you can forget about instructions and guesswork.

Your dental provider begins the process by placing a rubber sheet over your gums and tongue. Then, your provider applies a whitening solution to your teeth. Over the next 20 minutes, the solution starts working while you sit back and relax. Next, your provider uses a special ultraviolet light to activate the solution. This step tackles those stubborn stains. Your dental provider repeats this sequence of steps several times until we achieve your desired whitening goals.

Remarkably, during a single one-hour appointment, your provider can whiten your teeth up to eight shades brighter.

Extend whitening results with regular dental exams

ZOOM! whitening results last at least four to six months, but there’s plenty you can do to keep your teeth looking brighter longer between whitening sessions. 

While you can’t stop time, you can slow down its effects on your teeth by staying vigilant to scheduling regular dental exams. It’s natural to think that cavities are a kids’ issue, so perhaps regular dental exams and professional cleanings are less important as you age.

Not so. Cavities or caries can happen at any age. At your regular checkup, your dentist checks for cavities and tooth damage, such as cracks or issues with restorations like crowns, and your hygienist removes plaque or tartar buildup and polishes your teeth to maintain your bright smile.

2 minutes away from a healthier, brighter smile

Your daily hygiene routine also plays an important role in keeping your smile brighter and longer-lasting. Brushing and flossing are the tenets of healthy, bright teeth. Be vigilant about brushing at least twice a day for two minutes per session, first thing in the morning before you eat and before bed.  

Flossing at least once a day is the perfect complement to your brushing routine. The key is to floss before brushing, though. Flossing before brushing accomplishes three important things – it loosens up lingering food debris from between your teeth, removes plaque more effectively, and makes it easier for toothpaste to get to all the nooks and crannies between your teeth.

If you think about it, in less time than it takes to scroll through the feed on your mobile phone, you can practice disciplined at-home oral care each day that will keep your teeth healthier and brighter longer. Now that’s time well spent.

If you’ve noticed that your teeth don’t look as bright as they once did, request a teeth whitening consultation at Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry. Schedule your appointment by clicking the online booking tool or calling the office today at 689-220-2651.