Perhaps you have perfectly straight teeth and no issues with cavities, yet you don't feel your smile is as dazzling as it could be. In fact, when you smile, you feel it is quite dull. Even with the most perfectly straight teeth, dental stains can have a negative effect on your smile. Fortunately, a cosmetic dentist can help provide you with that movie-star smile you seek. 

Causes of Teeth Stains

It is important to note that there are three different types of dental stains, which includes extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related stains. Each type of dental stain has different causes.

Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains are the result of staining that occurs on the surface of your tooth, such as when you eat and drink. Common causes of extrinsic stains include:

• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Regular consumption of soda, wine, tea, and coffee
• Failure to properly floss and brush to remove stain-causing products from the teeth

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains occur when particles that stain the exterior of the tooth work their way to the interior of the tooth. Research shows that those who are exposed to too much fluoride, particularly children, can suffer from intrinsic teeth stains.

Age-Related Stains

Aging commonly goes hand-in-hand with many issues, particularly the deterioration of certain parts of the body, which includes the teeth. Elderly people often have stains on their teeth because of a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic causes. However, as you age, the tissue found in the core of your teeth called dentin starts to turn yellow. Also, the enamel layer of the teeth starts to thin, which reveals yellowing dentin.

Cosmetic Dentistry Help

There are many over-the-counter products you have likely encountered. However, most of them often prove ineffective. For legitimately white, bright teeth, cosmetic dentistry is the answer. Cosmetic dentists use varying treatments to help whiten your teeth and treat both extrinsic and intrinsic causes of staining. In addition, the treatments used also tend to strengthen the teeth by reinforcing the enamel.

Most of the options provided to you by a cosmetic dentist are quick and painless. In fact, many people can go in for a whitening session and get back to their normal lives in a matter of a couple of hours. If you are the type of person who suffers anxiety when seeing a dentist, you may be in luck. Talk to your cosmetic dentist about possible take-home whitening kits to see if they provide them. Speak to a cosmetic dentist near you today to find out more.