Restorative Dentistry or NYC Cosmetic Dentist—Stains

Restorative Dentistry or Cosmetic Dentist—Stains
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Judy Johnson, DDS
Monday, February 22, 2010 - 07:01 AM

Stains:

Why Do Teeth Stain?

Suffering from stains on the teeth is not inevitable and is very common. What's worse, the causes of stains are notably high. Let's take a look at just a few of the causes for teeth discoloration:
• Poor hygiene
• Diseases
• Aging
• Genetics
• Certain medications
The list doesn't end there. Many people suffer from unattractive stains caused by one or maybe several reasons. The good news is there are many ways to eradicate these stains revealing rows of beautiful white teeth. It's important for patients to know the different avenues that will resolve their problems, as different causes need different solutions.

For example, if a patient's teeth get stained due to excessive coffee drinking, then he or she should cut back on their caffeine intake to prevent further discoloration. To bring back rows of fresh white teeth, all the patient may need is a pack of white strips easily found at a local pharmacy.

Other alternatives are more drastic, not to mention more expensive. One example would be to have a specialist whiten the teeth using a combination of blue-light technology and a form of hydrogen peroxide bleach.

Restorative Dentistry or Cosmetic Dentistry?

People who unfortunately suffer from teeth stains can find a few alternatives to solve their problem. However, when does a patient know which method will apply to him? Patients should talk to their dentist before making any steps in whitening their teeth. After examining the patient’s teeth, the dentist will know which direction to choose.

To get the best teeth whitening results, patients find comfort in a dental specialist. If the help of a dental specialist becomes the preferred, professional choice, patients will soon find out that there is more than one field to choose from. Teeth whitening can fall under two dental practices:
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry
In the end, the patient will come out with the same satisfying results. After choosing the appropriate dentist plan, the patient, with the advisement of his or her doctor, can decide where to go from there.

Veneers for Stains

What may come as a surprise to some is the fact that veneers are a popular alternative for patients who wish to hide the stains on their teeth. Veneers fall under the “restorative dentistry” field, as it restores a patient's teeth to their rightful shape or coloring. The process of placing veneers on stained teeth is both safe, and in the end, very rewarding. Many people would question whether this is a necessary alternative, as veneers are for chipped and damaged teeth, or teeth in need of re-shaping.

This is in fact true about veneers, but that knowledge only scratches the surface of what veneers can do to restore a patient's teeth. Nevertheless, patients should consult with their dentist to make sure veneers are the best method in getting rid of stained teeth.

Caring for the Veneer

Not only should patients practice oral hygiene, but they should cut back on the foods that will cause their teeth to stain. Veneers may not be genuine teeth, but they should be treated as such. There is no guarantee how long veneers will last, but if patients take the proper steps in caring for their mouth, veneers can last a long time.

Bleach for Stains

It is no surprise that a similar product that can whiten our clothes can also whiten our smile. To restore a beautiful, white smile many dentists will initially recommend the patient have their teeth bleached. Dentists recommend this treatment for a number of reasons. First, it is an efficient approach to beautiful white teeth. Second, it is a long lasting approach.

At the patient's request, they can have the luxury of whitening their teeth at home, taking away the inconvenience of clearing their schedule to make an appointment with their dentist. Unfortunately, using bleach to whiten teeth isn't as simple as it may appear at the dentists office. Patients should know exactly how to whiten their teeth so no gum related problems will occur. Although at home bleaching is an option, it's safer for the patient to have a professional who is skilled in restorative dentistry, such as a dentist, bleach their teeth.

Keeping Stains Away

Now anyone who is interested in regaining their pearly whites know there are many avenues to choose from. After picking the one that is best, proper maintenance is vital to avoiding stains and reducing the trips to the dentist office. How can a patient maintain their white smile? Practicing oral hygiene, which is a fact that cannot be stressed enough.

Daily oral hygiene to keep stains away includes:
• Brushing the teeth 3 times a day
• Brushing teeth for at least 2 minutes
• Brushing with a toothbrush that is no older than 2 months
• Flossing daily, as brushing will not suffice
A tip for patients who desire a permanent white smile after their restoration process is to buy toothpaste that contains the following ingredients:
• Silica
• Calcium phosphate
• Calcium carbonate
• Aluminum oxide

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Reference Articles for Dental Visits

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Read More About Tooth Health from These Restorative Dentistry Reference Links:

Dental Health and Tooth Discoloration
Via: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tooth-discoloration
“Foods/drinks. Coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain fruits and vegetables (for example, apples and potatoes) can stain your teeth.”

How to get rid of yellow teeth
Via: http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-yellow-teeth/
“First, you need to figure out what is causing your yellow teeth. In some cases, your teeth might have a yellow tint to them as your natural color.”

Dental Health and Veneers
Via: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/veneers
“Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance.”

Foods that Stain
Via: http://www.peoples-health.com/foods_stain.htm
“Stain is an indelible mark or a hard to remove mark that is made on the object, this can be a piece of cloth or the skin or as would be discussed in this context, the teeth.”

Slideshow: Ten secrets to brighter, whiter teeth
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/slideshow-10-secrets-to-whiter-teeth
“Have your pearly whites lost their luster due to teeth stains? Stained teeth can occur naturally as we age, but some common foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can cause teeth stains.”

Foods that Stain
Via: http://www.mamashealth.com/dental/stain.asp
“Extremely hot or cold liquids are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth. Temperature change causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth.”

Foods that Stain Teeth
http://www.healthyreader.com/2008/06/19/foods-that-stain-teeth/
“Certain foods stain teeth more than others. Dark colored drinks like coffee, cola and tea are some of the worst offenders.”

Bad teeth-what do with crooked, chipped, rotten and stained teeth
Via: http://www.bad-teeth.net/
“Teeth whitening (bleaching) is the most popular treatment because it's fast and relatively cheap.” For references and resourced information, go to http://www.dentalvisits.com/general-dentist/restorative-dentistry-or-cosmetic-dentist-stains.aspx