Building Confidence With Dental Beauty

Stained teeth are a common dental issue. The phenomenon has several contributing factors. Sometimes individuals might not realize how badly stained their teeth are until they use over-the-counter teeth whitening products, which may make their teeth somewhat whiter. Another disturbing outcome might be white streaks from using the products. 

Dentists have a variety of teeth whitening solutions that can improve the appearance of stained teeth. The best solution varies because there are different contributing factors, which dentists can help patients identify. It is important to know which habits or circumstances can lead to stained teeth. The following points identify a few common culprits of stained teeth,

Tobacco

The use of tobacco in any form could lead to tooth stains. When it is smoked, the chemicals in it can create yellowish stains. Over time the yellow hue might start to look brownish. Chewing tobacco has the same staining effects. It can leave stains between teeth because of the saliva and tobacco mixture being held in the mouth. Even after an individual spits out the mixture, the residual mix can leave trace amounts in the mouth that lead to stains.

Food and Drink Choices

Sometimes favorite foods and drinks can lead to teeth staining. Coffee and wine drinkers commonly have stained teeth if they do not schedule teeth whitening treatments with their dentists. A good way to determine if a food or beverage is strong or dark enough to stain enamel is to ask yourself it could stain clothing. Coffee, tea, colas, red wine, berries, tomato-based pasta sauce, and food that contains food coloring in it are examples of foods and beverages that can lead to stains. Some of these foods and beverages may also be acidic and consuming them could damage tooth enamel. Damaged enamel may allow stains to penetrate teeth easier.

Dental Hygiene

Most adult individuals know that they should brush their teeth at least twice a day. However, missing this important part of dental hygiene might become a habit for individuals who have busy schedules. It is also possible for issues such as depression to negatively impact someone's motivation to perform self-care such as toothbrushing and flossing. Plaque and tartar are common causes of stained teeth and can lead to tooth decay.

Good dental hygiene also includes routine dental visits to professionally clean teeth, and routine visits are a good time to discuss teeth whitening options. A dentist is the best resource to use for teeth whitening solutions. They can ensure that the treatments administered are safe and effective, which is a guarantee that you won't get from over-the-counter options.