Maintaining a perfectly white and bright smile is no easy task. Apart from daily brushing and flossing, you should also be mindful of the common causes that lead to stains and discoloration of your teeth.
Here are 5 common causes for why your teeth become discolored:
1. Smoking
Smoking, vaping, or using tobacco products is a common way people stain their teeth. Your smile can become yellow or have a slightly grayish hue as the teeth are constantly exposed to the smoke.
Additionally, smoking can also increase your risk of developing some oral health issues that also affect the color of your teeth.
2. Certain Foods and Beverages
Some of your favorite treats and drinks can also stain the teeth and cause discoloration. These include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Foods and drinks with artificial colors
- Tomato sauces
- Citruses
- Blueberries, etc.
While you don’t have to avoid these foods entirely to keep your smile whiter, you can try to reduce them, brush your teeth right after, or use a straw to drink staining beverages to reduce the risk of staining.
3. Oral Health Issues
Cavities, tooth infections, enamel damage – these can all affect your smile’s appearance. Oral health issues like these must be treated through dental work as soon as possible, since apart from cosmetic issues, they can also cause irreparable damage to your oral health.
4. Some Illnesses and Medications
Certain medications and treatments can also cause your teeth to stain. For instance, some antidepressants are known to lead to yellow teeth, while a common side-effect of liver disease also concerns changing tooth color.
5. Oral Trauma
A direct blow to the mouth may crack, chip, or fracture the tooth, leading to visible damage. Unfortunately, tooth trauma is often not immediately apparent, and could only be noticed once the tooth starts to change its color.
You may notice a tooth will darken, and develop other symptoms like pain, swelling, or loosening.
How Is Tooth Discoloration Treated?
If you want a brighter smile, you should see a cosmetic dentist to discover your best options. A common approach to brightening someone’s smile is whitening treatments, which can remove stains and lift a few shades.
But, with severe cases of discoloration, you may need more extensive procedures like veneers, or dental work to address the underlying causes of discoloration. Either way, you’ll learn more once a dentist will take a look at your teeth.
How Elite Dentistry Can Help
If you’re struggling with tooth discoloration, come meet with Dr. Mark Ashy to get a personalized treatment plan catered to your specific needs.
If you’re in the Orlando area and want effective and safe cosmetic dental treatments, request a visit to Elite Dentistry online and stop by to unlock your options.
Have more questions about our services or tooth discoloration? Then call us at (407) 658-0103 today for a short chat!
Comments are closed.