Listen to Your Dentist if You Want to Keep a Beautiful Smile

When you smile, you’re giving the best of yourself to the world. You don’t want that effect being diminished by stained teeth! Discoloration of the teeth is a certainty that few of us escape, even those with A+ dentist approved oral hygiene habits. As we age, the enamel that covers our teeth grows thinner, thus exposing the dentin below. This creates a natural yellow or graying of the teeth. There are of course bleaching and whitening treatments that can help restore some of your teeth’s natural witness, but the most effective way to keep your smile looking it’s best is to know and avoid habits that intensify discoloration.

Certain foods and drinks contain elements which can stain the teeth in a big way. Coffee, tea, and red wine are three of the biggest perpetrators. If you drink a lot of any of these, you’ll want to brush your teeth often throughout the day to combat the damage. None of these, however, compare to the damage done to your teeth by sodas. Your dentist could give you a laundry list of reasons not to drink soda. The high acid and sugar content do a lot towards the rotting of your teeth. Cavities and general tooth decay are health concerns that you should take seriously, but cosmetically, soda can do a lot of damage. If you enjoy soda, you should consider limiting your intake.

If you’re a smoker, then you already know the numerous reasons your habit is harmful to you. You’ve no doubt been advised to quit by your doctor, and your dentist would likely do the same. Not only does smoking cause a general yellowing of the teeth, but it will also cause deep amber and brown stains in the areas you drag the smoke heavily over. There are lots of reasons to quit, but if you need just a little extra motivation, try to remember what it does to your teeth, because this is one of the most unattractive types of tooth discoloration out there.

The most important way to hold back the discoloration of your teeth is to hold fast to all hygiene advice your dentist gives you. One of the most basic causes of discoloration is the build-up of plaque and tartar. When it is left on the teeth for a long period of time, there is a general yellowing that occurs. So stock up on floss and mouthwash, get yourself a new toothbrush, and use them all as though you’re going to get graded on it.

If you’re careful about your habits and take good care of your teeth, maintaining a beautiful smile shouldn’t be too difficult. Nobody’s perfect though, and whether it’s through the accumulation of bad habits or simply through the natural aging process, you might experience some discoloration. If it’s a problem you are facing, ask your dentist about your options. There are a lot of over the counter whitening agents you could check out, and in office treatments for more serious discoloration.