It takes more than regular brushing and flossing to keep your pearly whites sparkling. There are plenty of everyday factors that can cause teeth to become yellow, brown, or gray. While your Upper Arlington dentist can fix up any stains and give you a beautiful smile with cosmetic dentistry, you can prevent that discoloration from happening in the first place if you know what to avoid. Here’s how to keep your smile safe from the top three causes of tooth discoloration.
Sugary, Acidic, & Dark-Colored Drinks
If you regularly drink coffee, tea, or soda, you may notice that your smile isn’t nearly as bright as it once was. Unfortunately, these delicious beverages are often filled with sugary syrups and flavorings that fuel tooth decay and encourage the buildup of a tough, yellowish substance called tartar. Additionally, the acidic nature of these drinks means that even diet soda and black tea or coffee significantly weakens and discolors enamel.
Thankfully, there are ways you can continue to enjoy your favorite beverages as well as a clean smile. Finish your soda, tea, or coffee in a reasonable amount of time and drink plenty of water afterward to protect your teeth.
Chewing & Smoking Tobacco Products
The tar and nicotine contained in tobacco products easily sticks to your teeth. While these particles can be removed, they’ll leave behind dark, stubborn stains deep in your enamel, giving your smile a prominent yellow or brown hue. Additionally, smoking or chewing tobacco drastically increases your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.
There are several intensive treatments that can help reverse the discoloration, but any other oral health issues will need to be dealt with first. While it is by no means easy, the best thing for your smile and your overall wellbeing is to quit using tobacco products.
Trauma, Fluorosis, or Tetracycline in Childhood
Certain childhood events can have a permanent effect on the color of your teeth, like:
- Dental trauma from a fall, impact, or sport that caused internal bleeding.
- Fluorosis, which occurs when developing teeth are exposed to too much fluoride.
- Tetracycline antibiotics can severely stain a child’s teeth if taken before the age of eight.
Understanding these factors can help you protect your child’s pearly whites as they grow, while a cosmetic treatment may be able to revitalize your own.
It takes a combination of great oral hygiene and avoiding the top causes of tooth discoloration to keep your smile shining bright. Remembering to avoid these causes of discoloration can help your teeth retain their naturally beautiful white hue.
About the Author
Our talented and friendly team at Artistry Smile Center in Columbus, OH is committed to helping you achieve a smile that’s beautiful and healthy. Dr. Angela Courtney completed her extensive post-graduate education at the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and is proud to offer a variety of advanced cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, Invisalign, and porcelain veneers. Whatever you don’t like about your teeth, her years of experience and state-of-the-art technology can give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. To schedule a consultation, feel free to contact her via her website or at (614) 451-7393.