Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?

More people than ever are noticing their smiles are dull instead of gleaming. In 2020 alone, 37 million people in the United States used dental whitening products. 

However, these items don’t always work as well as they’re advertised. In fact, none of them can replicate the results of professional dental cleaning and whitening from your dentist. 

Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS, and her team at Preva Dental in San Antonio, Texas, use advanced laser teeth whitening to produce bright-white smiles in a single visit. The results are so dramatic, you won’t believe it until you see it. 

Why do teeth lose their whiteness?

Your teeth become dull and lose their whiteness for various reasons, but they all fall into two categories of discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Because your teeth are porous, substances can stain the outer layer (extrinsic) and soak into the inner layers (intrinsic). 

Extrinsic stains

Certain foods and drinks or habits like tobacco use can cause extrinsic stains. Food and drinks that can dull your smile include:

• Coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Tomatoes and tomato products (sauce, juice, etc.)
• Berries
• Beets
• Soy sauce

Although extrinsic stains are on the outside of your tooth’s surface, they’re still frequently impossible to remove completely with routine brushing at home. 

Intrinsic stains

Intrinsic stains are caused by substances that soak through the porous outer layer of your teeth and cause discolorations that show through. They often cause a yellowish or grayish appearance and are far more challenging to remove. 

Certain medications, injury or trauma to the tooth, or tooth decay can cause intrinsic stains. Most of the time, tooth discoloration results from a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic stains.

How professional whitening treatment works

The Preva Dental team offers state-of-the-art laser teeth whitening that restores your teeth to bright, sparkling whiteness.  

After protecting your gums, Dr. Rasamsetty applies a whitening gel to your teeth. The light energy from the laser activates this gel, speeding up the whitening process. The results are far better than over-the-counter home whitening products. 

Our team has extensive training in using laser teeth whitening safely and producing the best results. Talk with Dr. Rasamsetty during your next cleaning or consultation about what you can expect from laser teeth whitening. 

Tips for keeping stains away 

Your teeth may be more susceptible to staining soon after a teeth whitening treatment, so follow these recommendations for keeping stains away for as long as possible: 

• Avoid food and beverages that cause stains, such as coffee, tea, and red wine, especially in the first 48 hours after a whitening treatment. 
• Keep regular dental cleanings and exams at Preva Dental — we recommend every six months. 
• Brush and floss twice daily to clean away substances that cause stains. 

If your teeth have lost their whiteness, schedule a professional laser whitening treatment in San Antonio with Preva Dental. Call or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment.