Grand Rapids Dentist Takes On A Tough Nemesis: Intrinsic Tooth Stains

    GRAND RAPIDS, MI, October 22, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- At Contemporary Family Dental, Dr. Dykstra, Grand Rapids, MI dentist, wants patients to know that some stains won't go away with over-the-counter whitening products.

Exterior stains on teeth are a hassle to get rid of, so intrinsic stains are on an entirely different level of difficult. Commercially available whitening products won't do the trick. It's better to understand what causes intrinsic stains. It's the best way to avoid spending too much money on products that won't even work.

"Food and smoking deposit stains on the exterior of the enamel. Commercial products can be slightly effective, but professional whitening is the most effective and safest way to get whiter teeth. As for intrinsic stains, avoid home remedies and over-the-counter whitening products. It's a waste of your time and money. In Grand Rapids, we offer the best in-house treatment for tricky inner tooth stains," said Dr. Dykstra, dentist Grand Rapids.

Intrinsic stains are not as common, but Dr. Dykstra can identify the common causes for inner staining. Pre- and post-eruptive staining are the two main types. For pre-eruptive stains, over exposure to fluoride and tetracycline (antibiotics) will discolor the inside of a tooth. Patients can find fluoride in toothpaste, floss and mouthwash.

When properly used, fluoride helps prevent and control tooth decay. Kids and adults consume fluoride, but fluoride stains (also called dental fluorosis) only occur in children eight years or younger. Adults have permanent teeth, so they can't develop dental fluorosis. Children are developing permanent teeth, so fluoride reaches the teeth emerging from under the gums. Fluorosis looks like small white specks or lines. The size of the spots or streaks depends on the severity of fluorosis. In severe cases, patients will see rough, pitted surfaces on the teeth.

Tetracycline is a commonly used antibiotic. It treats a wide variety of bacterial infections. Same as fluoride, tetracycline can stain the inner body of children's' teeth that haven't erupted.

On the other hand, adults are susceptible to post-eruptive stains. Trauma to the tooth can result in the pulp (located in the tooth) bleeding, so blood may enter into the dentinal tubules; thus, patients notice a tooth may look darker compared to other teeth. If a tooth is severely damaged, a patient's tooth may discolor after a root canal treatment. Tooth wear and gingival recession may also cause intrinsic stains.

Although there are many causes for intrinsic stains, there is only one solution: Dr. Dykstra. Patients are a step away from a whiter smile. Dr. Dykstra and his professional staff are the best at handling teeth whitening in Grand Rapids.

For more information on Dr. Dykstra's Contemporary Family Dental office in Grand Rapids, MI, call (616) 726-1271. Dr. Dykstra's office is located at 2554 Woodmeadow Dr. SE, Suite C in Grand Rapids. For more information on services Dr. Dykstra provides, visit http://www.contemporaryfamilydental.com.

As seen on: http://www.epressdistribution.com/news.asp?id=2980

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