For years, you’ve felt embarrassed by your gray teeth. You’ve hidden your smile from view in pictures, presentations, and even bypassed social gatherings to avoid conversing with others for fear of what they might say. Unsure of how this discoloration occurred, you may feel as if there is no hope when it comes to enjoying a whiter, brighter smile. But the good news is that there is! A dentist is here to share three unique ways you can take back your smile and start feeling more confident in your appearance.
Gray Teeth: What Causes This Kind of Discoloration?
When looking in the mirror, you want to see a mouth full of white teeth staring back at you, not gray ones. How did this discoloration even occur in the first place? Unfortunately, there isn’t just one potential cause for this problem. There are many reasons your teeth can morph from white and beautiful to gray and dull, some of which include:
- Overuse of antibiotics as a child
- Severe facial trauma
- Metal dental crowns or fillings
- Serious tooth decay
- A rare hereditary condition known as dentinogenesis imperfecta
- Aging
Which Treatment Options Are Available?
No matter the reason for your gray teeth, your dentist can provide safe and effective treatments that are designed to breathe new life into your smile. A thorough consultation will allow for discussions as to your goals and what you hope to achieve through this process. Your dentist will formulate a personalized plan to help you better understand what you can expect as well as how much you can expect to pay for your new and improved smile.
The most common forms of cosmetic dentistry that are used to treat discolored teeth include:
- Teeth Whitening: Whether you choose in-office or at-home whitening, make sure you see a trusted professional instead of using a DIY kit. This will ensure the best possible whitening agents are used to blast away extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration.
- Porcelain Veneers: If you want to semi-permanently transform your smile and hide your gray teeth, customized veneers can be created to hide the imperfections and leave you with a new and fully rejuvenated appearance.
- Dental Bonding: Using composite resin, this solution is temporary but can effectively conceal the problem in a non-invasive way. Also, it’s highly affordable and takes only one visit to complete.
There is also the option to have a customized dental crown created to fit over your gray tooth.
Can Teeth Whitening Correct Gray Teeth?
Teeth whitening tends to work better on yellow or orange-tinted teeth. However, it can sometimes be used to lighten and brighten the appearance of gray teeth depending on the cause of the discoloration. For example, if your teeth are gray due to a genetic condition or serious tooth decay, teeth whitening likely isn’t going to be the solution to your issue. However, if your teeth have become a gray tint due to aging or pigment, teeth whitening may be able to help!
How Can I Prevent Tooth Discoloration?
There are various steps you can take to keep your teeth from discoloring in the future. Here are some of the most important ones.
- Limit Staining Foods: Some foods and drinks are culprits behind tooth staining. This includes things like coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, tomato sauce and more. Rinse your mouth after enjoying these items to lessen their effects.
- Use a Straw: When sipping on dark-colored beverages, use a straw to limit contact with the teeth.
- Don’t Smoke: Tobacco use is a significant contributor to tooth staining and discoloration.
- Excellent Oral Hygiene: By brushing twice and flossing every day, you can prevent food debris from building up on the teeth and causing stains.
Pursuing cosmetic dentistry will be a valuable investment should you wish to do something about your gray teeth. Just make sure to find a trusted professional who can give you the look you desire.
About the Practice
At Smile More Dentistry, our team of dentists believes in helping all patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. This is why we offer cosmetic dentistry services of all types. When faced with discolored teeth, you may be hesitant to put yourself out there for others to notice. But with the right treatment, we can remove stains and help you achieve your ultimate smile goals. Visit our website or call (845) 675-1512 to learn how we can take your appearance to the next level.