Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration and How it Can Be Prevented

Many people consider a smile to be a person’s best feature, but unfortunately not everyone has a smile they want to share with others. When teeth start lose their pearly white shine, it can be hard for a person to feel confident about their smile. It can even make them feel uncomfortable in social situations, causing them to withdraw from activities they once enjoyed. For those who are unhappy with the way their teeth have changed colors over the years, there are some solutions to help them regain their confidence. The first step is taking a look at different factors that contribute to tooth discoloration and trying to eliminate them. If that doesn’t help, cosmetic dentistry procedures are another option.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

There are a number of different factors that can cause people’s teeth to yellow over time. One of the main culprits is a person’s diet. Foods and drinks like dark berries, candy, sauces, wine, coffee, tea and fruit juices are all big contributors to tooth discoloration. Anything with a strong, dark color or that has a high acidic content can stain teeth and erode dental enamel. Another habit that is notorious for discoloring teeth is smoking and chewing tobacco. While most of these things can be avoided, there are other factors that cause tooth discoloration that can’t be helped. Genetics also contribute to tooth discoloration, so some people are just naturally more prone to this issue than others.

How Can the Effects of Tooth Discoloration Be Reversed?

The first thing that people with tooth discoloration should try to reduce its effects are regular preventive dental tactics, such as brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. While these are important to a person’s overall health, they can also help to fight stains left on teeth from problem foods. If this does not seem to help, teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that can produce drastic results. Cosmetic dentists use a special in-office bleaching technique to whiten their patient’s teeth and leave them with long-lasting results. While it may take a couple of treatments, this cosmetic dentistry procedure is highly effective and can make teeth several shades whiter.

Tooth discoloration is a common issue that effects millions of people. Although it poses no medical threat, it can make a person feel anxious about their teeth and uncomfortable in social situations. Knowing what causes tooth discoloration and how it can be fixed can help people regain the bright, white smile they once had. Good references here.