Your smile is often the first thing others will notice about you and this simple gesture can say more than words at times. But even with careful brushing and thorough flossing, your outer layer can still become stained over time. Knowing exactly what is causing your pearly whites to dull is key and the first place to start. Once you’re able to recognize the source, you can begin to take proactive at-home steps and seek out professional tooth whitening in Webster!
What Causes Tooth Staining?
We wish we could say only the rarest of things cause our teeth to yellow. In some cases, that’s true, but you can usually find the culprit in our day to day lives. Although your teeth’s enamel is strong, it is also translucent in color and can often be stained by our favorite foods & drinks.[1]
To ensure the right steps are being taken, always talk to your dentist about any noticeable changes, but for a simple reference, these are usually the items behind the color change of your teeth!
Stains that appear brown on teeth may be from:
- Tobacco
- Dark beverages: Including tea, coffee, and some dark sodas
- Tooth decay, from inadequate oral hygiene (not brushing/flossing enough)
What foods cause purple stains?
- Red wine is the likely culprit
What causes white marks on teeth?
- Fluorosis, which is usually found in young, developing teeth. White spots can begin to appear on teeth that are exposed to too much fluoride. Whether through drinking water or certain kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes.
What leads to black marks on teeth?
- Overexposure from certain minerals, usually from taking supplements. These minerals include iron or manganese.
Yellow stains on teeth are likely from:
- Age: One factor that we can’t control, is aging. Over time, your teeth’s enamel will wear down and begin to expose the yellow core underneath.
Other factors, such as damage to a tooth, certain medications, genetics, and disease can also be the root cause of any unusual discoloration to your teeth.[2] The exact reasoning (and solution) can vary and every case is special, so if you notice progressive or stubborn staining, contact your dentist right away with any questions and concerns.
At-Home Prevention and Treatment
Whether to improve slight discoloration or even prevent it altogether, a great place to start is to either lessen the intake (or quit altogether), the foods, drinks, and habits that are known to dull your outer layer.[2] Small things such as cutting back on coffee or tobacco will make an amazing difference.
Other steps in a great direction, to either preventing or treating the yellowing of teeth, including making sure to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and use mouthwash daily. To be even more pro-active, you can check with your dentist to see if they offer any at-home teeth whitening agents.[2]
Most importantly, make sure to complement your at-home efforts with continuing to see your dentist for regular teeth cleaning, every 6 months! Routine visits and cleanings will allow your dentist to polish away most surface stains, making sure your smile stays strong and bright.[1]
Tooth Whitening in Webster
With how busy life can get sometimes, the last thing you should be worrying about is your smile!
Even with proper care of your teeth, you may still notice a difference in your smile’s appearance over time. Empire Dental Care can take all of your worries away and give you a natural, healthy smile that radiates confidence.
No two smiles are the same, and that is why we offer multiple options for most of our services, including teeth whitening. You will work with Dr. Tehila Cohen and her incredible team to select the option that fits you best and will give you results you are sure to be proud of!
Contact Empire Dental Care
At Empire Dental Care, we strive to be more than just another dentist. We have made it our mission to provide the care you need and always with a gentle touch!
To hear more about our teeth whitening options or to make an appointment for any of our other services, contact us by phone: 585-671-1650 or email: info@empiredental.com.
Sources:
[1] https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration#1
[2] https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-discoloration#2