You’re going along in life like normal and then you take a glance in the mirror or see a photo of yourself and notice it: your smile isn’t as white as it used to be. You try to write it off as no big deal, but in a world of teeth whitening treatments, why put up with a less-than-perfect smile? We’ve covered some of the basic causes of teeth stains briefly, but below are more in-depth causes, along with additional tips for getting rid of stained teeth.
“Here are some of the causes of
teeth stains along with additional tips
for getting rid of stained teeth.”
Dietary habits
One of the simplest and most common ways of tarnishing your teeth is in what you drink. Tea and coffee are famous for staining teeth. Wine and cola can also be culprits. Smoking can also cause similar staining. These are called extrinsic stains, since drinks and tobacco stain the outer enamel layer of the teeth.
Bad luck
No, not that you walked across the path of a black cat or broke a mirror. These causes of teeth stains are no fault of your own and usually have few to no preventative measures. Sometimes yellowing teeth just runs in families. Other times the aging process simply leads to discolored teeth. Trauma to a tooth can cause discoloration of that tooth.
Sometimes genetic defects can cause abnormalities in the tooth enamel. There’s a condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta, which causes blue-gray and yellow-brown colorations on the teeth.
Medical problems
Certain medications can cause tooth discoloration, like antibiotics. Certain antibiotics are known to cause discoloration of teeth in children while their teeth are still forming. Other conditions like metabolic diseases can also cause tooth discoloration.
Insufficient dental care
Sometimes just not getting into the dentist for regular cleanings can cause discoloration. Other times, older dental technologies like amalgam tooth fillings will cause the enamel to look gray.
Make sure to schedule regular appointments with a dentist for cleanings and check-ups. Cleanings can also reduce staining of the teeth.
How to fix causes of teeth stains
In addition to regular checkups with your dentist, there are several things you can try on your own to fix teeth stains. Many issues may not come with easy fixes, such as issues where the discoloration comes from fillings, certain diseases, meds you have to be on or genetic discolorations. In these instances, talk to your dentist about any solutions they may have.
If your problems are extrinsic in nature, meaning you’ve most likely stained your teeth from smoking or drinking beverages that are known for staining teeth, these are more easy to take care of yourself. Some ideas for taking care of extrinsic stains on your own include:
- Drink more water to wash debris off the teeth.
- If you smoke, quit to reduce that chance of staining teeth.
- Brush your teeth after each meal to reduce the chance of staining.
- Get a toothpaste that is formulated for whitening teeth.
Remember, if you still have concerns about the causes of teeth stains, make sure to talk to your dentist. Your dentist may also have teeth whitening solutions if you are concerned about yellowing teeth.
Are you concerned about teeth stains?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
Leave A Comment