Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?

If you’ve noticed that your smile isn’t as white as it used to be, you’re not alone. In 2020, 37 million people in the United States used dental whitening products. Nothing available on store shelves can beat the brightening, stain-removing power of professional dental cleaning.

At Arya Dental in Fullerton, California, our dentists use the Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed system to get your teeth several shades whiter in no time. Patients often see dramatic results after only one treatment.

Here’s why your teeth lose their whiteness and why Philips Zoom could be the answer. 

Why do teeth lose their whiteness?

The two types of dental stains that can make your teeth look discolored and dull are extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Think of these as on the tooth (extrinsic) and inside the tooth (intrinsic).

Despite their smooth, solid appearance, your teeth are porous at a microscopic level. Stains can happen both on the surface and within your teeth. 

Extrinsic stains

Extrinsic stains can be caused by certain foods and drinks or habits like tobacco use. Food and drinks that can dull your smile include:

• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Tomatoes and tomato products (sauce, juice, etc.)
• Berries
• Beets
• Soy sauce

Although extrinsic stains are on the outside of your tooth’s surface, they can be hard to remove with brushing alone.

Intrinsic stains

Intrinsic stains develop under the enamel in the dentin layer of your teeth. Typically gray or yellowish in appearance, these stains are more of a challenge to remove than extrinsic stains.

Intrinsic stains can be caused by certain medications, injury or trauma to the tooth, or tooth decay. In many cases, tooth discoloration results from a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic stains.

How professional whitening treatment can help

At Arya Dental, we can get your teeth up to eight shades brighter in one session. The Philips Zoom system uses state-of-the-art LED blue light technology to accelerate your whitening treatment, so you get instantly dramatic, clinically proven results in approximately one hour. 

Over-the-counter products at your local pharmacy can’t match the strength of professional-grade whitening treatments. Our dentists have extensive training to safely apply the highly concentrated formulas so you get the best whitening experience possible.

Keep stains away long-term

Stains can still occur after your whitening treatment without proper maintenance. Extend the benefits of your whitening treatment by avoiding food and beverages that cause stains, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. 

Regular dental cleanings and exams — as well as brushing and flossing twice daily — are vital to clean away superficial stains before they set in.

If your teeth have lost whiteness, visit us for professional dental whitening treatment. The experts at Arya Dental are ready to upgrade your smile today. Call or click to schedule an appointment.