Did you know that your teeth can become discoloured by stains on the surface and by changes in the tooth material itself?
Many people take matter into their own hands and risk damaging their teeth and gums in the process. Before you can safely take action on your stained teeth it is important to understand what kind of stains are dulling your teeth. And you need to be realistic, even the healthiest, maintained teeth are not pure white.
Dentists often divide discolouration into three main categories:
- Extrinsic discolouration – this occurs when the outer layer of the tooth is stained by coffee, wine and other food or drinks. Smoking is another common cause of extrinsic discolouration.
- Intrinsic discolouration – this is when the inner structure of the tooth darkens or gets a yellow tint. Intrinsic discolouration can occur due to the maternal use of antibiotics during the later stages of pregnancy, excessive exposure to fluoride during childhood and use of tetracycline antibiotics in children under the age of 8.
- Age related discolouration – is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age allowing the dentin to show through. Injuries including chips can also cause discolouration. This is especially true when the pulp has been damaged.
Stains from food and drink can often be removed with a professional dental cleaning, however only your Dentist can correct intrinsic stains through the use of cosmetic procedures.
Prevention
Dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth water after having wine, coffee and other food or drinks that can stain your teeth. Regular cleanings by your local Dentist can also help prevent surface stains.
Once you’ve had the stains removed, you can follow these simple home remedies to prevent them from occurring again in the future:
- Keep your teeth clean (this means brushing daily)
- Floss (limit plaque with flossing and you will fight stains)
- Quit/Reduce smoking (much easier said than done, but do it for an attractive smile)
- Be beverage wise (when indulging in “staining” beverages, do so in a couple of sittings, rather than sipping these drinks throughout the day)
- Use a straw (this is not ideal when drinking hot coffee or tea, but is a great suggestion for fruit juice and soft drinks as you reduce your teeth’s exposure to these staining beverages)
If you want to find out more about how you can get in touch with a professional emergency dentist, contact Wisdom Dental Emergency today. They can assist you with any questions you may have regarding tooth discolouration and cleaning.
