If you are concerned about the yellowing of your teeth as you age, then consider yourself one of the majority. Most people are concerned with presenting an inviting, attractive smile, which explains the billions of dollars spent on teeth whitening each year. Fortunately, if you are beginning to see some yellowing, there are steps that you can take from the comfort of your own home to make your smiler whiter again.
It is important to understand that teeth discolor as time goes by as a result of staining and thinning of enamel. Certain foods and beverages can make staining worse. The loss of enamel, of course, is the bigger concern. The enamel is the white, protective coating that naturally occurs on the teeth. Beneath the enamel, there is a substance known as dentin. It is brownish in color, which explains why teeth begin to look stained as the enamel wears away.
There are several things that you can avoid, which can prevent staining while preserving the essential enamel coating.
- Smoking This is one of the worst things you can do for your dental health. Yellowing teeth, due to staining, is just one of the concerns. Smoking can break down enamel, and may increase the likelihood of several dental problems, including cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, chronic dry mouth, and even oral cancer.
- Coffee and Tea These common beverages are often responsible for the staining on teeth. Reducing consumption and using a straw when drinking such liquids can help keep teeth whiter.
- Highly Processed Diet Processed foods are generally high in sugar content and/or acid. Both are damaging to the teeth. Sugar feeds the bad bacteria in the mouth, leading to unattractive and damaging decay. Acid can eat away at the enamel.
- Soft Drinks These beverages are very high in acid, so they can wear away the enamel, while staining teeth. It’s a double whammy against the bright white smile that you desire.
- Dry Mouth This can be avoided by increasing water intake. Dry mouth, which is a lack of saliva, leaves the enamel exposed to damaging bacteria.
- Nasal Congestion Especially at night, nasal congestion can lead to excessive mouth breathing, which leads to dry mouth, a problem mentioned above.
- Excessive Fluoride While fluoride is good for your teeth, in small doses, an excess of it can actually damage them and lead to permanent staining.
If you are still having trouble maintaining the bright white smile that you want, consult the Fox River Dental team for more information about professional whitening services.