How do you Prevent Teeth Discoloration?

Coffee, tea, colas, smoke, medications and highly pigmented food can take a toll on your pearly white smile. While white is not the natural color of your teeth – they are actually a light yellow – you would want to avoid teeth discoloration to retain your natural smile. However, teeth color tends to change due to several reasons. Apart from certain foods and habits as mentioned before, aging and even injuries can stain your teeth. While stains that occur from inside your teeth need professional treatment, common teeth discoloration can be prevented with these simple measures.

Watch out for Teeth Staining Foods & Beverages

Watch out for the teeth-staining food and beverages like coffee, tea, soda, red wine, tomato sauce, and dishes with food color to prevent staining your teeth. While you cannot always avoid them, you must reduce their consumption to retain your natural teeth color. Using a straw to consume soda, juices and iced tea or coffee can help keep stains away. By using a straw, you prevent the drink from getting near the visible front surface of your teeth and prevent teeth staining.

Get rid of Tobacco

It is common knowledge that tobacco not only deteriorates health but also stains your teeth. Furthermore, the unhealthy habit of chewing or smoking tobacco can cause  oral health issues and ruin your pretty smile. By avoiding tobacco, you not only prevent teeth staining but also reduce health risks.

Drink Enough Water

Water has been known to benefit dental as well as overall health. Keeping your mouth hydrated allows combating problems like bad breath, cavities, gum diseases, and teeth staining. Make sure you have a glass of water after consuming teeth-staining foods and beverages. Swirling water in your mouth helps clear the acid, sugar, and stains.

Maintain Good Oral Habits

Good oral hygiene helps in preventing stains and retaining your natural teeth. Brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue regularly eliminate plaque and bacteria to prevent staining and decay. Following an oral care routine also helps reduce the chances of intrinsic stains caused by decay and diseases inside your teeth. Rinsing your mouth after every meal, especially after consumption of teeth-staining food reduces the chances of teeth discoloration.

Go for Professional Cleaning

Regular dental visits are vital for maintaining a healthy mouth. It is recommended to visit the dentist at least twice a year. Getting professional cleaning done helps in preventing teeth staining and also eliminates any stains already on your teeth. With the help of X-rays, the dentist also examines your teeth and gums for any problems. This also prevents the chance of intrinsic stains or stains inside your teeth caused due to injuries and medications.

Use Teeth Whitening Products

A variety of teeth whitening products including whitening toothpaste and strips are available over the counter to deal with stained teeth. Using such products, especially after the consumption of teeth-staining foods help in preventing teeth discoloration. However, these products are only helpful in clearing common stains. For stains that originate under the surface of your teeth, you will need professional treatment.

All these above-mentioned steps can help in preventing and dealing with teeth discoloration. However, if you face severe teeth discoloration, they may be a result of severe oral issues. You must consult a dentist for diagnosis and treatment for any severe teeth discoloration.