Dental Stains Definition: Very simply, the discoloration of your teeth due to a variety of factors. Dental stains can be broken down into two categories: Extrinsic staining - Pigmented deposits found on the tooth surface that are caused by topical or external agents. Intrinsic staining - Stains incorporated within the tooth structure. Causes: Extrinsic staining: o Plaque o Calculus o Foods and beverages o Tobacco o Certain types of bacteria and topical medications Intrinsic staining: o Dental restorations (i.e. corroded amalgam fillings) o Dental decay o Trauma to a tooth o Necrotic or infected nerve o Infections o o o o Enamel defects Salivary dysfunction Poor oral hygiene Small grooves, pits or fissures in the tooth surface. o Medications (i.e. Tetracycline) o Genetic defects o Hereditary diseases such as hypocalcification or fluorosis that affect dentin and enamel development Treatment: In-office treatment: o Extrinsic Staining Professional teeth cleaning. Keeping up with your regular recall appointments will help keep stains to a minimum. Professional whitening. We offer in-office, at-home and over the counter options to meet your needs. Read more here! o Intrinsic Staining This type of stain requires permanent restoration - i.e., replacing an old amalgam filling or placing a new veneer/crown/etc. In some cases of hypo calcification and fluorosis, microabrasion can be performed. When in conjunction with in-office whitening, desired results MAY be achieved. This depends on the depth of the stain. Strobel Dentistry, Ltd. 25 E. Washington St., Ste. 1917, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 726-3135 : www.strobeldentistry.com : strobeldentistry@live.com At-home treatment: o Extrinsic Staining only: Watch what you eat! Keep track of how much stain occurs how frequently with different foods/beverages and reduce consumption accordingly. Anything that can stain a white shirt can stain your teeth! Rinse with water after consuming dark, sugary and acidic foods Don’t smoke! Consider shorter recalls – getting a professional cleaning more often can reduce your overall amount of stain. Brushing at least 2 times a day- especially after consumption of staining agent. Consider an electric tooth brush! Over the counter whitening products (whitening strips, tooth pastes, rinses etc.) If you choose to use a whitening tooth paste, we recommend using a sensitive whitening tooth paste brand such as Sensodyne Whitening to prevent gum sensitivity and recession. Strobel Dentistry, Ltd. 25 E. Washington St., Ste. 1917, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 726-3135 : www.strobeldentistry.com : strobeldentistry@live.com