Most of us do not have perfectly white teeth naturally. And we’ve all wondered why our teeth darken over time. What can we do to avoid it? How can we remedy this?
The most common reasons why teeth darken naturally are as follows: Poor oral hygiene habits:Forgetting to brush, brushing in any way and not flossing gives stain-producing substances, for example from tobacco and certain beverages, enough time to discolor the teeth.
Tobacco products: Smoking and chewing tobacco stain teeth. You can consider quitting smoking, not only for your oral health, but for your overall well-being.
Beverages: The most common beverages that stain teeth are coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine and acidic fruit juices.
Diseases: Some diseases affect the tooth enamel (the hard outer surface of the teeth) or dentin (the material under the enamel), resulting in its weakening and discoloration of the teeth. Some aggressive medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation can also affect tooth coloration.
Excess fluoride: In small doses, fluoride is an important tooth protector, but in high doses, it can cause tooth discoloration. Elevated exposure can come from high fluoride content in the local water supply or from excessive use of fluoride toothpastes, rinses and supplements.
Medications: Tetracycline and doxycycline are antibiotics that can discolor children’s developing teeth. Some antihistamines, antihypertensives and antipsychotics may also stain them.
Trauma: Receiving a blow to the mouth can disrupt the formation of enamel on developing teeth or disrupt blood flow to a particular tooth, causing it to “die” and turn gray.
Aging: The outer layer of enamel naturally wears away as it ages, revealing the yellow color of the dentin underneath.
Genetics: If you were born with naturally dull or thin enamel, your teeth may simply lack the bright white shade that others can achieve.
Teeth whitening solutions
There are treatments and solutions for darkened or discolored teeth, but improving your habits may be sufficient and necessary to keep them as clear as possible.
Reduce acidic beverages
Minimizing the frequency of consumption of beverages that are known to darken and discolor teeth will not only reduce stains and improve the health of your mouth. You will also reduce sugar intake and reduce a source of inflammation.
And if you love it, a trick is that when you drink one of these beverages, do it using a straw and brush your teeth as soon as you can. This will prevent the appearance of stains.
Improve your dental hygiene
Regardless of what you eat and drink, brushing your teeth thoroughly after every meal and flossing every day helps remove plaque and stains. Electric toothbrushes are much better at preventing tooth darkening and discoloration than manual toothbrushes.
If you are not sure how you can get the most out of your brushing, we will clarify it for you at your next dental appointment at our dental clinic in Barcelona. Do not hesitate to ask us.
Choose mouthwashes wisely
It is important to read mouthwash labels carefully. If you rinse with a mouthwash, look for a brand that does not contain stain-causing chemicals such as chlorhexidine, which is not advisable to use for more than 10 days without a doctor’s prescription.
Tooth whitening
Not everyone can have their teeth whitened, which is why it is advisable to visit the dental clinic for a personalized evaluation of each case.
Most people want to have this treatment to have white and bright teeth. Whitening can improve the color of teeth by several shades, but you cannot choose a specific shade as many people think.
If there is no noticeable change in habits, we can say that, in general, a good whitening can last from 1 to 2 years.
In dentists Miravé CO we have several options for teeth whitening, contact us and we will advise you with the best solutions for you.
If tooth discoloration is a concern for you, do not hesitate to ask us for advice at MiravéCo in Barcelona. Together we will find the best way to whiten your smile and keep it radiant.
