Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness Over Time?

A pearly white smile boosts your confidence, helping you feel more comfortable at everything from job interviews to social gatherings. However, when that brightness fades, the opposite can happen.

If you’re bothered by stained or discolored teeth, our dental team at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, can help.

Here’s a closer look at tooth discoloration, including factors that fuel age-related changes and effective solutions.

How aging affects the whiteness of your teeth

As you age, the outer layer of your teeth (enamel) becomes thinner. As a result, it’s easier to see the darker dentin layer, which expands with age. Thinning enamel also makes your teeth more vulnerable to staining from foods, beverages, and tobacco products.

While tooth discoloration affects almost everyone to some degree, significant changes are more likely if you:

Frequently drink dark beverages, such as red wine, coffee, or black tea
Have a history or current habit of smoking or chewing tobacco
Have a family history of discolored teeth
Take certain medications, such as antihistamines (especially long-term use)

Cancer treatments and certain diseases, such as eating disorders, celiac disease, and liver disease, also raise your risk for discolored teeth.

What to do about tooth discoloration

If you’re bothered by color changes in your teeth, consider professional teeth whitening. Swinney Dental offers several whitening options, including in-office Zoom treatment and professional-grade at-home kits.

Zoom teeth whitening can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in less than an hour. Just one in-office session is needed.

Our at-home whitening kits offer similar results, including whitening trays we custom-mold to your mouth. Depending on your kit, you’ll likely wear the trays 1-2 times daily for 10-14 days.

We also offer the GLO® at-home whitening system with an electronic warming mouthpiece to bolster the lightening gel. The GLO system is ideal for people with sensitive teeth.

Making the most of your teeth whitening treatment

After Zoom in-office teeth whitening treatment, you’ll need to avoid colored foods and smoking for about two days. Beyond that, all teeth whitening results can benefit from improved lifestyle habits.

If you’d like to make the most of your results, consider the following:

Brushing your teeth 2-3 times per day
Flossing daily
Scheduling routine dental cleanings
Drinking plenty of water
Limiting foods and drinks that stain your teeth
Quitting or avoiding smoking

Schedule additional whitening treatment once your results have begun to fade. While results vary, your teeth whitening results may last 1-3 years.

To learn more about tooth discoloration or get the cosmetic treatment you desire, call our Swinney Dental team today. You can also schedule an appointment using our website's convenient online booking feature.