Are you overly conscious of your discolored teeth? Remember that you can experience this condition due to a variety of factors, one of them being age. As an older adult, you might notice that your teeth are turning more and more yellow, dull, or even grayish over time. Understanding the causes and exploring whitening options can maintain your smile.
Read this blog to learn if this cosmetic dental treatment can help you combat the effects of age on your teeth and smile.
Why Does Teeth Change Color With Age?
Aging can affect every part of your body, and that includes your teeth. Here are some factors that might change the color of your teeth as a senior:
Enamel Thinning
The other hard layer of your teeth, called enamel, can wear down with time. This might expose your dentin. As the protective layer starts thinning, the yellow hue of the inner part starts becoming more visible.
Lifestyle Factors
Your lifestyle habits can also accelerate the discoloration process. Try to avoid having excessive wine and other dark-colored food because of their staining nature. Smoking and poor oral habits can cause plaque build-up, damaging your teeth in the long run.
Genetics
You might be genetically predisposed to having darker and yellowish teeth. Your genes can also affect the enamel thickness and visibility of your dentin. You can see a cosmetic dentist in Phoenix for more insight on this.
Medicines
Do you need to take several medications for your overall health? Certain medications like antibiotics and antihistamines can deeply stain your teeth. It might affect the inner structure of your tooth rather than just the surface.
Dental Trauma
Injuries and accidents can affect your teeth and discolor it over time. Damage to inner pul[ tissue may result in a darker or grayish appearance.
Professional Vs At-Home Whitening Options: Which One Is Better For Aging Teeth?
There are several teeth whitening options for you to opt from. Each has a varying degree of effectiveness.
Professional Whitening
A dentist can use high-concentration bleaching agents and special lights to give you perfect brightness. This method is quick and can remove the stubborn stains on your teeth for more dramatic results.
At-Home Kits
Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels can be a convenient option if you don’t have the time to see a dentist. They can remove mild, superficial stains but won’t work for significant discoloration.
Custom Trays
The dentist can provide you with custom-fitted trays for even distribution of the whitening gel. These trays can offer you better results compared to the generic at-home options.
Why Does Aging Affect The Effectiveness of Teeth Whitening?
While whitening procedures can improve the appearance of your aged teeth, its effectiveness does depend on certain factors:
- Since this dental procedure targets your enamel stains, the thinning of this layer might affect the results. Your teeth’ inner layer might not respond to bleaching agents.
- You can get rid of surface stains with this cosmetic treatment. However, deep stains inside your teeth are much harder to remove.
- As an older adult, you might experience tooth sensitivity due to thinned enamel. This procedure can worsen your sensitivity and affect your oral health.
Aging will naturally affect your tooth color; however, this discoloration does not have to be permanent. Understanding the causes and exploring professional options to combat it can help you maintain the brightness of your smile.
Are you ready to care for your aging teeth? Seek professional dental consultation today!
