Everybody wants white, bright, and beautiful teeth. But for most of us, our teeth seem to be getting more stains or discoloration each year, turning darker and darker. Why is this? What can you do to brighten up your smile? This blog post provides practical information about tooth discoloration and teeth whitening that can get you on the road to the glowing, confident grin you have always wanted.
Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Dietary Habits
Drinks like coffee, tea, colas, and wine can stain your teeth and make them more yellow over time. Foods like chocolate, colorful candies, and soy sauce can do the same. Even dark-colored berries and vegetables can stain your teeth, so staining isn’t necessarily a matter of nutritious foods versus non-nutritious foods.
Tobacco Use
Tobacco can heavily stain your teeth. Smoking cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or chewing tobacco can cause tooth discoloration due to the nicotine and tar in tobacco products.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not brushing or flossing enough to remove plaque and stain-producing substances or missing your bi-yearly teeth cleanings with your dental hygienist can lead to tooth discoloration.
Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions can cause tooth discoloration, including liver disease, celiac disease, calcium deficiency, and eating disorders. Trauma or diseases that affect enamel development in children can also lead to discoloration.
Medical Treatments and Medications
Medical treatments and medications can lead to tooth discoloration. For example, antibiotics containing tetracycline, mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine, antihistamines, high blood pressure drugs, and antipsychotic drugs can all cause tooth discoloration. Chemotherapy and some radiation therapies can also cause discoloration.
Fluorosis
While fluoride is important in strengthening and protecting tooth enamel, excessive fluoride in your early years can cause dental fluorosis, which usually occurs in the form of white marks or lines on the teeth.
Aging and Genetics
As you age, the enamel on your teeth wears away, and teeth can become more brittle, which leads to discoloration and staining. Also, years of eating and drinking stain-producing foods and drinks will inevitably have an effect.
Genetics also play a role in natural tooth color, translucency, and brightness, so you may just naturally have yellower teeth, or teeth that are more susceptible to stains and discoloration.
Preventing Teeth Discoloration
To prevent teeth discoloration, as well as other negative consequences, it’s best to avoid tobacco. And while avoiding foods and drinks that cause discoloration can help tremendously, drinking with a straw can also help prevent visible stains, so it’s a good workaround if you have no desire to live a coffee-free or wine-free life.
Dentistry Today recommends you brush your teeth three times a day for two minutes, floss regularly, and brush your teeth at least 30 minutes after drinking stain-causing drinks. It’s also important to visit the dental hygienist every 6 months for regular teeth cleanings.
Teeth Whitening Solutions
You may be at a point where you’re already unhappy with the color of your teeth. The good news is there are products and procedures you can do to whiten your teeth.
- Over-the-counter products: While store-bought solutions may be tempting, they are not nearly as effective as what your dentist can provide and can even put your teeth at risk.
- In-office teeth whitening: For in-office teeth whitening treatments, a dentist will apply whitening gel on your teeth, and the whole process lasts about an hour.
- At-home teeth whitening products: For at-home treatments, your dentist will give you gel-infused trays that you will apply for a few hours daily for a couple of weeks until your teeth are multiple shades whiter.
Teeth Whitening in Burbank, CA
Whether you’re seeking a whiter, more radiant smile through in-office/at-home teeth whitening or through other cosmetic dental treatments, look no further than Dr. Ruiz & Associates. Dr. Ruiz is a renowned dentist, researcher, and educator known for his expertise and for his smile design technique used by dentists all over the world.
His commitment to excellence, artistic skills, and cutting-edge technology make him the go-to dentist in Burbank for a dazzling, natural-looking smile transformation. Your journey to a brighter, more confident smile begins when you book a consultation at our office. Make sure to check out our Google reviews to see why people love us, and contact us at 818-558-4332 when you are ready to book a consultation!
