Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, that’s why so many people spend so much money and time ensuring they have the perfect smile. Many daily activities, such as eating and drinking will have an impact on the state of your teeth, and since you do not get a second chance when it comes to your adult teeth, it is crucial that you look after them properly.
Although we all aim to have pearly white teeth, sometimes this can be difficult to achieve. Some individuals experience tooth discoloration, which essentially means that your teeth are not as white as they should be – they can become yellow, or develop white and dark spots in different places. In this article, we will advise you of what you should know about discoloration of teeth. And if you’re ready to enhance your smile, call the Cosmetic dentist in Roseville.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Lifestyle
As we mentioned above, food and drinks plays is a significant contributing factor to teeth discoloration. Some of the obvious ones include wine, coffee and tea, chocolate and even certain red sauces. Additionally, if you are a smoker, the likelihood of teeth turning yellow significantly increases, and this is actually one of the main causes of tooth discoloration in younger people. Oral health professionals constantly try to raise awareness of the importance of a good oral hygiene routine. Evidently, your teeth need to be properly taken care of, including brushing them, floss, use mouthwash, and other teeth-whitening products to prevent and reverse some of the discoloration.
Age
Unfortunately, one thing we cannot control is aging. Time passing has big effects on our bodies, and oftentimes this is why your teeth go yellow. Aging causes our teeth to be more vulnerable to damage and prone to discoloration.
Antibiotics
Empirical evidence suggests that certain antibiotics cause teeth to change their colour as well as many other oral related issues. This can be antibiotics taken from when you were a child, and they will have a permanent negative impact on the structure, strength and colour of your teeth.
What Can You Do To Get Rid of Stains?
Over-the-Counter Products
If you do not have the financial means to visit a professional, there are a few things you can do yourself to whiten your teeth at home. There are whitening toothpastes, charcoal powders, whitening strips and even oil pulling with coconut oil, that will make a difference to your teeth. However, it is important to note that this is effective for surface strains but not those that are located inside of your teeth.
In-office Treatment
If you are concerned about the colour of your teeth, the best thing to do is to visit your dentist so that they can advise you of what the best thing to do for your issues. They can properly assess your condition and treat your discoloration, plus recommend what you can do in order to further prevent this from happening in the future. Professional treatments are the quickest, most effective and safest ways to make sure that you get your teeth as white as you want.
When Should You See a Dentist?
Discoloration of the teeth is natural and can happen due to the normal course of life, therefore you may decide not to see a dentist for this particular issue. However, if this is causing you concern, and you have tried to make this better with at home methods, it is time you follow up with a professional. This is particularly important if the stains are inside your teeth, rather than on the surface because in such cases, you will not be able to easily get rid of it. Visiting your dentist regularly also means that they will be able to spot any teeth issues you may have and treat them early to prevent further complications and discoloration.
How Can You Prevent Discoloration?
Care for your teeth after coffee
If you are a regular coffee and tea drinker, ideally, you should reduce the amount of tea and coffee you drink. However, if this is not possible then it is essential that you brush your teeth as soon as you finish, or at least drink some water so that some of the remains are removed from the surface of your teeth.
Practice good oral health.
Good oral hygiene is the foundation of good teeth and gums. This will prevent oral issues, including discoloration. It is crucial that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and that you use a good mouthwash and dental floss. Your gums also contribute to the overall health of your mouth, therefore it is essential that you look after them as well.
Modify your habits
Smoking has absolutely no advantages to your health – it causes severe health issues, and it is also detrimental for the health of your teeth. If you need support quitting, consult your doctor so that they can enrol you in a cessation program,
Not having white teeth can be embarrassing and have a significant impact on your overall self-esteem. It is important that you know about the condition so that you know what you can do to prevent it and how to reverse it.
