Battling with discoloured teeth can be really hard especially when you try to do it on your own. Discoloured teeth can greatly affect your social life and harm your confidence but no matter how bad your teeth might look, it is nothing your dentist cannot take care of.
CAUSES OF TOOTH DISCOLORATION
Tooth discolouration can be from within the tooth or on the surface of a tooth.
Some causes include:
FROM WITHIN THE TOOTH:
- Abnormalities of tooth development
- Pulp death (the pulp contains blood vessels and nerves for a tooth)
- Pulp bleeding due to an injury to the tooth such as during a fall
- Medication: Use of tetracycline by mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding or by children less than 8 years old
- Excessive fluoride intake
- Advance in age
- Chemotherapy
ON THE SURFACE OF THE TOOTH:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tobacco smoking and chewing
- Foods like kolanut, berries, pasta sauce, curry and beverages like tea, coffee, cola and red wine
- Long use of chlorhexidine mouth rinse
- Bacteria
- Industrial exposure to metals
Certain dental materials like amalgam and root treatment medicaments may discolour a tooth.
POST-PROCEDURE CHECKLIST
- Inform your dentist of any concerns you may have
- Ensure you book your follow up appointment before you leave the clinic
- Good oral hygiene is absolutely important
- See the dentist immediately if you experience pain, any symptoms or if the implant becomes mobile
- Keep to your follow-up appointments
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Discoloured teeth are not the end of the world, your dentist can make your teeth look as good as new.
- Good oral hygiene practice is the first step. Your dentist can teaches you how.
Composite bonding
- Your dentist can cover the discoloured tooth with a shade of tooth-coloured composite that matches your other teeth
Dental veneers
- Thin shells of tooth coloured porcelain or composite can be fabricated and bonded to your teeth
Tooth bleaching
- Your dentist can use chemicals and light to lighten the colour of the tooth. Your dentist will let you know if this treatment is suitable for you.
Dental crowns
- This is usually the option when the discolouration is associated with a major loss of tooth structure. The crowns are caps used to cover the teeth and are fabricated to look just like your natural teeth.
ADDITIONAL INFO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMx4Rzikd1k
