Healthy human teeth are usually a slightly yellowish shade of off-white, but factors like poor oral hygiene, genetics, and frequent exposure to discoloring substances can leave unsightly stains in a smile. Thankfully, there are a few effective ways to remove yellowish accumulations and lift dental stains. Here’s a quick look at how you can treat dental discoloration at home and how your dentist can help you achieve the grin of your dreams.
How Do Teeth Become Discolored?
In many cases, teeth take on an unpleasant yellow color due to accumulations of plaque and food debris. Plaque is a dark shade of yellow, and it can be sticky enough to trap food particles that can feed harmful oral bacteria. If teeth are exposed too frequently to discoloring agents like pigments, tannins, and dyes, they can develop stubborn dental stains that do not respond to normal oral hygiene methods. Since enamel becomes thinner with age, older people often have smiles that aren’t as bright as those of younger folks.
How Can I Address Dental Stains at Home?
You can prevent or reduce the appearance of dental stains at home with the following measures:
- Excellent oral hygiene: Keeping your teeth clean will eliminate plaque and discoloring agents that can make your teeth yellowish or brownish. Make sure you brush at least twice, floss at least once, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash every day.
- Drink plenty of water: Water will help flush harmful substances away from your teeth and keep you hydrated enough for healthy saliva flow, which will help keep your teeth clean and properly lubricated.
- Quit bad habits: Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption can leave you with unsightly dental stains and erode the health of your gums.
How Can My Dentist Whiten My Teeth?
Your dentist offers effective teeth whitening treatments that deliver far superior results to those of similar store-bought whitening products. Your oral health professional can lift stubborn stains with an in-office procedure that takes about an hour or a take-home kit that can be completed in about two weeks. In either case, your teeth will be up to eight shades whiter, and you can maintain your results by receiving retreatments as needed.
Dental stains can be quite frustrating, but your dentist can help you get rid of them. Consulting with your oral health professional can help you find the best way to achieve your ideal grin.
About the Author
Dr. Shane Smith earned his dental degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and has completed advanced coursework covering subjects like dental implants and BOTOX. His office in Jonesboro offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening. To learn more about preventing dental stains or to schedule your consultation for teeth whitening, contact his office on the web or dial (870) 932-2644.