By Hadley Gavin
Teeth discoloration is quite common and can result from a range of problems. Understanding the possible causes of teeth discoloration is important if you want to maintain a pearly white smile. It lets you and your Montrose Colorado dentist work together to prevent or manage your dental issues. Below are the most common reasons your teeth can stain:
Poor Dental Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is important to maintain your dental healthy and keep your teeth white. If you fail to do so, bacteria and food particles will stick around in your mouth and cling to your teeth, resulting in tooth stains.
Some Foods and Beverages
Coffee, wine, tea, soda, and some juices can affect the whiteness of your teeth because of their high acidity. In fact, some foods such as beets, apples, cherries, cranberries and tomatoes can also have a staining effect on your teeth. Generally, any food which could stain clothes could also stain teeth.
Tobacco Use
Tobacco use has negative effects on both your oral hygiene and health. Chewing or smoking tobacco put you at risk of gum disease and other oral health problems as well as advance the yellowing of your teeth.
Some Illnesses
A number of medical conditions are likely to affect the tooth enamel that can result in changes in your teeth’s color. Such conditions include calcium deficiency, metabolic diseases, eating disorders, celiac disease, and others.
Some Medications
Tooth discoloration can also occur because of certain medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medicines, and antipsychotic drugs. People who are exposed to doxycycline or tetracycline before the age of eight can also experience the same effect.
Aging
With age, your teeth enamel will naturally wear down. This can make it possible for your teeth’s next layer to show through. This layer is called dentin which is yellowish in color. This is the reason a lot of people’s teeth begin to look yellower when they get older.
Teeth staining is a problem that can be addressed by your dentist. Your dentist will recommend teeth whitening if you want to restore your teeth’s original glory. But, in some situations, bleaching does not work. That is why the dentist may recommend porcelain veneers or dental crowns to hide a stained tooth. But, you don’t have to go through any of these treatment options if you work with your dentist to come up with a plan to keep your smile bright.
