Why Teeth Turn Yellow With Age

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As the years pass, even healthy teeth can start to look dull or yellow. It’s considered a natural part of aging—after all, how many older folks don’t have this yellowing?—but there are a few real reasons why the change happens. Understanding what’s behind it can help you decide how to keep your smile looking bright with the help of your University Heights, OH dentist.

Enamel Thins Over Time

Tooth enamel is the protective outer layer that gives teeth their shine. It’s strong, but it doesn’t last forever. With years of brushing, chewing, and sometimes grinding, that layer slowly wears down. As it gets thinner, the inner layer called dentin becomes more visible. Dentin has a yellow tone, and when it shows through, teeth start to look less white.

Stains Build Up Slowly

Daily habits like drinking coffee, tea, or wine leave tiny traces behind. Brushing helps, but it can’t erase everything. Over the years, those small stains layer up and settle into the enamel. Smoking adds to the problem, too. These stains can be stubborn, especially after they’ve been there for a while.

Changes Inside The Tooth

Dentin doesn’t just sit there quietly—it changes, too. It can grow thicker as we age, and that shift makes teeth less translucent. When that happens, they lose their sparkle. Light doesn’t bounce off them the same way, and they start to look darker or duller.

Other Factors Can Play A Part

Medications, health conditions, or even early childhood antibiotics can change the color of teeth from the inside out. Some people notice the effects more as they get older. If discoloration becomes noticeable, teeth whitening in University Heights, OH might help restore a fresher look. A quick chat with your dentist is a good place to start.

How Often Can You Get Your Teeth Whitened?

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Getting your teeth professionally whitened can give you amazing results, but they don’t last a lifetime. At Innovative Smiles, our dentists in University Heights, OH, offer whitening treatment and touch-up sessions to keep your smile beautiful. Here’s how often you may be able to have your teeth whitened.

How Severe Is Staining?

Having more severe discoloration may mean you’ll need to come in more often for whitening. Mild or moderate stains may only require you to come in once a year or even less often for touch-ups.

Are You Choosing In-Office or At-Home Treatment?

Results from in-office teeth whitening in University Heights, OH, tend to be more effective and may last longer. Using take-home kits from our dentists may not give you the same lasting results, causing you to come in more often for a touch-up.

How Long Can You Maintain Your Results?

Doing what you can to help your results last, like avoiding foods that stain enamel and brushing regularly, means you can go longer without needing a whitening touch-up.

Are There Risks to Having Whitening Done Frequently?

Having it done too often may increase the risk of damage to tooth enamel or your gums. That’s why it’s important to get the timing right between sessions.

How Do You Know the Right Whitening Schedule for Your Smile?

Our dentists weigh all of these different factors to determine the best and safest whitening schedule for your teeth!

Schedule Teeth Whitening for a Dazzling Smile!

Are you ready for brighter teeth that look their best? Whether you need teeth whitening in University Heights, OH, for the first time or a touch-up session, we can help! Our dental team at Innovative Smiles is here to improve your smile!

Can Teeth Whitening Fix a Single Discolored Tooth?

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If you have a single discolored tooth, chances are you’ve noticed it for a while. Of course, if you haven’t seen a dentist in University Heights, OH for a while, you may not know exactly what’s causing it and how to fix it. Here, we’ll look at the ins and outs of teeth whitening and whether it’s the right solution for you.

What to Know About Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening works on external stains, meaning stains from colored substances, whether it’s healthy blueberries or tobacco. Because these stains will impact all of your teeth, it’s unlikely that teeth whitening will work on a single yellow tooth.

What Causes a Single Yellow Tooth?

This depends on the person. In some cases, a single yellow tooth has a very obvious reason behind it, and it’s usually from some type of injury. For example, if you fell and hit one of your top front teeth, the trauma can damage the blood vessels, which then causes the tooth to yellow. In other cases, it’s less obvious, whether it’s because the enamel is just wearing away on one tooth or because some amalgam fillings may eventually stain your teeth.

Steps to Take

If you have a single yellow tooth, it’s worth finding out why. In some cases, the dentist may be able to treat the discoloration from within, though more likely, they’ll recommend either bonding or a veneer. Either of these treatments can help you match your tooth to the original color of the surrounding teeth. If you want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry in University Heights, contact Innovative Smiles to find out more. We’re here to help you solve as many issues in one visit as possible!

4 Ways to Avoid Dental Stains

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Dental stains can be disappointing, especially when you feel like you’re going to a lot of trouble to take good care of your teeth. You can avoid dental stains by following advice from your dentist in University Heights, we’ve got lots of ideas to keep your teeth clean and white the whole year round. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining whiter, more beautiful teeth.

1. Know Which Foods Stain Your Teeth

Knowing which foods can stain your teeth is helpful if you’re hoping to keep your teeth white and healthy. Some of the foods to look out for include:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Red wine
  • Tomato-based sauces
  • Beets
  • Berries

2. Swish With Water After Eating Staining Foods

You don’t have to avoid foods that stain in order to keep your teeth white, but if you swish with water after drinking or eating something that can stain your teeth, you can help your teeth stay whiter.

Just keep water on hand while you’re eating, especially if you’re eating foods that will stain your teeth, and then drink water throughout the meal. Swish with water in your mouth to wash away some of the foods that might otherwise be sticking to your tooth enamel.

3. Get Your Teeth Whitened

One way that you can get your teeth whiter and more beautiful is by having your teeth professionally whitened in University Heights, OH. At State Valley Dental, we offer professional teeth whitening in our office. With our teeth whitening service, you can get your teeth professionally whitened to be several shades lighter than they are currently.

4. Consider Veneers or Crowns

Dental veneers are designed to cover up stains on your teeth to make your tooth enamel look whiter and brighter. Dental veneers can also make your teeth look more uniform in shape, which is helpful if your teeth are currently chipped or damaged.

Call today to make an appointment or to speak to one of our dental professionals.