Reasons and Remedies for Tooth Discoloration

Over time, your teeth can become discolored or stained. Thankfully, depending on the cause of your tooth discoloration there are affordable options for correcting stained or yellowing teeth. An experienced dental team can often identify the underlying causes for stained or discolored teeth. This makes it possible to create a customized plan for removing stains and brightening your teeth while helping you to adjust your habits for a healthier mouth. By addressing the root causes of your tooth discoloration, you can prevent these issues from occurring again in the future.

Why Are My Teeth Stained?

Your teeth may be discolored or stained for a variety of reasons. Certain prescription medications can cause darkening or yellowing of the teeth. Smoking and drinking coffee, tea or red wine can also be to blame for tooth discoloration. Improper dental hygiene and lack of attention to your teeth are also common culprits in causing teeth to become yellow or darkened. Finally, tooth decay can produce a darkened and discolored appearance for severely affected teeth. By working with a dentist, you can determine the precise cause of your tooth discoloration and can find the most practical solution for your specific issues.

The Foods You Eat Matter

Coffee and tea drinkers may notice a brownish or yellowish stain on the teeth that develop and become more noticeable over time. Red wine can also have a similar effect on teeth. One of the best strategies for resolving these problems is to brush thoroughly and to floss between teeth after consuming these beverages.

Sweet and starchy foods are also hazardous not only to the appearance of your teeth but also to their health. These foods stick to your teeth and combine with bacteria to create plaque, a sticky and damaging substance that attacks your tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. Decayed teeth can often appear dark or even black. By removing plaque through brushing and flossing, you can reduce your risk of cavities and tooth decay to a significant degree.

Some foods and drinks actually combat tooth discoloration. Water can rinse away some of the food debris and the plaque that normally builds up inside your mouth. Sugar-free drinks are a close second to water in terms of how they affect your teeth. Foods that are rich in calcium and other minerals or that contain omega-3 fatty acids are also helpful in building strong teeth and preventing inflammation, which is a contributing factor in the development of periodontal disease. By adding these foods and beverages to your regular diet, you can often reduce the chance of discolored teeth and can enjoy the brightest and most beautiful smile possible.

The Effects of Tobacco Products on Your Teeth

Chemicals found in cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and snuff can stain your teeth yellow. Stopping the use of tobacco products is a good way to prevent these issues and to promote the healthiest teeth and gums. Tobacco smoke and chewing tobacco can also cause irritation of the gums, which is the first step in more serious problems like inflammation of the gums, gingivitis and gum disease. By eliminating tobacco from your life, you can enjoy more beautiful teeth and a lifetime’s worth of whiter and brighter smiles.

Reducing Tooth Discoloration Caused by Tobacco

A few helpful strategies can provide you with some protection against staining or yellowing if you continue to smoke or use snuff. Brushing your teeth frequently can remove the residue left behind by tobacco use. Rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash can also provide some degree of protection against the effects of smoking or chewing tobacco. In most cases, however, the best thing you can do to protect your teeth against the damage caused by smoking or chewing tobacco is to avoid the use of these substances altogether.

How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration

Regular teeth cleanings and dental exams are a great place to start to keep your teeth whiter, healthier, and cleaner. Along with regular brushing and flossing at home, teeth cleanings can remove plaque and tartar to prevent bad breath issues and to ensure that your smiles are as bright as possible. Cutting back on or eliminating coffee, tea and other dark-colored beverages from your diet can also help to prevent staining and yellowing of your teeth. Finally, reducing the sugary or sweet snacks you eat can have a real impact on plaque production inside your mouth, which has been linked to discoloration of teeth caused by cavities and decay.

How to Get Whiter Teeth and a Brighter Smile

You can have whiter teeth! There are proven methods available for eliminating discolorations or stains on your teeth. Follow these tips to get whiter teeth:

• Along with proper dental hygiene at home, find a dentist so you can receive professional whitening services in office
• Try over-the-counter products. While not the most effective, these products can produce some results When you use them just be careful that they don’t touch your gums.
• Consider choosing bleaching strips over mouthwash which only stays on the teeth for a short amount of time. Don’t forget to take before and after pictures to make sure the process is working.
• Ask your dentist for a take-home kit that can produce outstanding results for most patients.
• If your teeth are stained because of a problem that cannot be corrected on a surface level, ask about veneers and crowns to cover up stains and yellowing, which can help you look and feel your best every single day. Find a dentist with the experience and the proven knowledge you can count on to ensure the best results for your dental care.

Your Path to Whiter Teeth

To learn more about the services we offer and how they can help you enjoy whiter teeth in Connecticut, call our office today at . The dedicated and compassionate staff members at Premier Dental of Connecticut will be happy to work with you to help you achieve the whitest teeth and the most beautiful smiles now and in the future.