When you decide to seek professional help for your discolored teeth, the dentist will take a look at your teeth to determine if teeth-whitening services would offer effective results. To determine this answer, the dentist will need to figure out if the tooth stains are extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are located on the outside parts of the teeth, while intrinsic stains are on the insides of the teeth.

How do intrinsic stains occur?

Extrinsic staining on teeth typically occurs from a person's habits. For example, a person that drinks a lot of tea or coffee may have yellowish or brownish teeth from drinking these beverages. People who smoke also develop staining on the outside of the teeth. Intrinsic stains form on the inner parts of teeth, and this type of staining comes from other things.

Intrinsic stains can occur when teeth experience a lot of trauma at some point in life. These stains can also occur when a tooth is dead. People also experience intrinsic stains from taking too much tetracycline (an antibiotic) when they were younger. Additionally, a person exposed to too much fluoride might also develop intrinsic stains when they are older. 

Why doesn't teeth-whitening work on intrinsic stains?

Teeth-whitening services typically involve bleaching the teeth with a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide or something similar. When this is done, the solution has the ability to remove stains from the outside of teeth, but it does not reach the inner parts of the teeth. Because of this, a dentist will not recommend teeth-whitening services if you have intrinsic stains.

What can be done about intrinsic stains?

If your dentist tells you that you have intrinsic staining on your teeth, one of the best options you have to whiten your teeth involves composite bonding. Composite bonding is a procedure that involves placing a thin layer of bonding material on your teeth in a shade that is as white as you would like your teeth. Not only will this leave you with whiter teeth, but the bonding material also serves as a protective layer for the teeth. This may reduce your risks of developing cavities, and it may also decrease sensitivity issues you experience with your teeth.

If you are interested in having whiter teeth, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist that offers teeth-whitening services to find out what method would work the best for your situation. For more information, contact companies like Pike Dentistry.