Stained teeth can occur from numerous sources, including your diet, habits, or dental hygiene. Some people are also genetically predisposed to suffer from dental issues at a faster rate than others. The color of dental stains can be yellow, brown, black, or many shades in between. There are a number of things that patients can do to prevent teeth stains, including dental hygiene practices, habits, and avoiding specific foods and beverages.
The following informational guide was developed to provide patients with the information they need to prevent teeth stains and have a healthy, white, beautiful smile.
Teeth are considered stained when they darken from their original shade of white. This darkening can occur all throughout or in specific spots on the teeth. There are numerous reasons that one may suffer from this discoloration.
The color of your teeth stains may help indicate the cause. These can be white, yellow, brown, and/or black.
These causes can be broken down into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic influences are things outside the body that come into contact with your teeth and result in staining.
There are certain food and drinks that are notorious for causing dental stains and should be enjoyed in moderation.
These include:
It is crucial that you always brush your teeth after consuming these items to avoid staining.
Other outside influences that may affect the color of teeth include:
Intrinsic Causes are things that occur inside the body that result in stained teeth. There are several diseases that can lead to teeth becoming discolored, including treatments for cancer. Pregnancy can also take a toll on the teeth when the mother isn’t receiving adequate vitamins or if an infection occurs.
Other internal causes may include:
Most intrinsic causes cannot be avoided but there are healthy dental habits that can be implemented to avoid stains.
Carry a bottle of water at all times and drink it regularly to prevent teeth stains. Water can help wash away food particles that become lodged between teeth. You can also swish water in your mouth to rinse away food before it becomes plaque.
Adequate brushing and flossing are crucial elements in maintaining a white smile. To prevent teeth stains, you should be brushing your teeth a minimum of twice a day. There are other important things to remember to do to keep plaque from forming, these include:
All of these things must be done daily to prevent new teeth stains from forming.
There are foods that have the potential to naturally whiten teeth and include:
Patients should visit a dental professional on a regular basis for deep cleaning. These services can remove temporary surface stains before they become permanent. Regular dental cleaning should be attended a minimum of twice a year.
There are additional habits that can help patients maintain a clean mouth and prevent teeth stains. These tips are simple and easy to implement into your daily routine.
These habits include:
Sometimes tooth discoloration is unavoidable and the teeth can become too stained to correct on your own. There are several services that a dental professional can perform to correct this issue.
It may be necessary to schedule a professional whitening procedure if you have a special event coming soon. A dental professional can achieve white teeth in one visit, providing immediate results.
Many also offer to develop in-home whitening kits for their patients to use at their own accord.
Both of these services should be performed by a reputable and qualified dental professional to ensure high-quality materials are used. Bonding requires the dental professional to fuse material to the stained spots on your teeth, allowing them to color and shape specific areas.
Veneers may be necessary if the damage is more extensive. Veneers involve the creation of a mold that is over the entire tooth to alter the shape and color.
Dr. Braverman and his team of dental professionals at the New York City Cosmetic Dentistry Center are happy to help patients achieve the smile of their dreams.
Dr. Braverman offers patients a wide range of dental services, including highly-rated whitening services, bonding, and veneers. They are also proud to offer regular cleanings and other procedures that exceed your expectations.
Contact New York City Cosmetic Dentistry today for more information.
