Causes and Remedies for Discolored Teeth

1. Causes and Remedies for Discolored Teeth When you brush or floss your teeth, you might notice that no matter how much toothpaste you use, there seems to be a discoloration to the surface. There are a few reasons as to why you might not have the pearly white color that you desire. Some of the reasons can easily be resolved while some might take a little effort on your part by going to a dentist or changing some of the products that you use. Coffee and soft drinks are notorious for causing discoloration. The caffeine in the beverages tends to sit on the surface of the teeth, which can make them appear yellow. If you smoke, you might have a yellow tint to the teeth as well. This is from the nicotine that is in the cigarettes. Kool-aid and other products that have food coloring in them can temporarily stain the teeth unless they are consumed on a regular basis. If you brush the teeth after the items are consumed, then the color usually won’t linger. Some medications will alter the color of the teeth. If you notice that the medications that you take are changing the appearance of the teeth, then it’s best to see if the doctor can change your prescription as brushing and flossing usually won’t help in this situation. Overall not brushing the teeth daily can cause them to have a yellow tint. Bacteria will begin to form on the enamel of the teeth which will cause color changes. If allowed to sit for long periods of time, the bacteria can start to erode the enamel, which can lead to cavities and sensitivity when eating hot or cold items. One of the easiest ways to get teeth back to a natural color or a bright white is to brush at least twice a day. You should also use a mouthwash that has an antibacterial component to eliminate the bacteria that sits on the surface of the teeth. If you smoke, then consider cutting back on the number of cigarettes that you smoke during the day or brushing more often so that the nicotine doesn’t settle in

2. the mouth. Avoid drinking sodas and other beverages that are colored. Try changing to a diet that includes water or milk as the calcium from the milk can strengthen the teeth. There are some toothpastes that can help fight discoloration. They often have peroxide in them, which can lift the stains off the teeth. Another option is to make a toothpaste at home of peroxide and a small amount of baking soda. This is sometimes healthier than the products you would get in a store, and it will usually work in a shorter amount of time. You can get whitening products, such as gels and liquids, that you put in a tray or directly on the teeth. Some of these might irritate the gums, so it’s best to test the product before using it on all the teeth at one time. A dentist often has ways of whitening the teeth that include laser therapy as well as gels that are placed on the teeth.