Nothing brings out a beautiful smile better than pearly white teeth. We believe that preventative care is far more beneficial than restorative care, so here are five habits to be aware of that cause stained, yellow teeth.
1. Your daily coffees or teas
Chances are you enjoy a morning coffee on the way to work or a tea at breakfast. As much of a staple these beverages are in your diet, unfortunately they’re both culprits for stained, yellow teeth. Dark pigments in coffee, called chromogens, are likely to stick to the enamel surface of teeth and cause them to darken over time. Black tea is also known to have a staining effect.
However, we’re not telling you to cut out your daily (or twice-daily or three-times-daily) coffees and teas. There are simple ways to reduce the risks of both drinks causing stained teeth.
One way is to sip water after you’re done with either drink. This rinses your mouth out a little, rather than waiting until bed time to brush your teeth again.
Another way is to add milk to your coffee or tea. This kills two birds with one stone, considering that milk is a great source of calcium to strengthen your teeth and improve oral health.
2. Not drinking water
Basically, any drink other than water is known to have some affect on your teeth. This is especially relevant for acidic drinks such as soft drinks, energy drinks and alcohol. These drinks have high levels of sugar and acid, which can soften the tooth enamel and make the teeth more prone to stains.
Similarly to cutting out or drinking less of these staining drinks, it’s important to drink plenty of water. We all know that water improves our overall health, so it’s no surprise water also improves your oral hygiene and health.
Sipping water in between bites of food and drinking a glass after each meal simply rinses your mouth and helps get rid of excess food that may stick around in your teeth before you get a chance to clean them properly. Drinking fluoridated water is even more beneficial as fluoride protects your teeth against tooth decay and yellow staining.
3. Smoking
Smoking is known to cause many health concerns, and one that becomes obvious just by looking at someone is the fact that it causes yellow teeth. Smoking can also cause oral cancer and gum disease, which highlights, even more, just how unhealthy this habit is.
4. Not cleaning your teeth properly
A proper oral hygiene routine is paramount to achieving beautiful pearly whites. Dentists recommend you brush your teeth twice daily, for at least two minutes each brush. It is also recommended you use fluoride toothpaste and mouth wash once a day. Flossing is an important part of the routine that some people tend to neglect. It helps reach parts of the teeth that the brush cannot – and getting rid of those little bits of food will give you an overall, whiter smile.
5. Not visiting the dentist
It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months for a regular check-up, however you should visit more often if you begin to notice any concerns. Dentists are able to detect any early signs of teeth or gum problems, and give you advice on how to best maintain your oral health and hygiene.
If you’ve tried your best to get rid of yellow teeth using at-home preventative measures, it’s also worth visiting the dentist for a quick clean and whiten. Professional teeth whitening is highly recommended over treatments that you can purchase over-the-counter. That’s because professional treatments are custom to achieve the best results for your teeth, and are safe so that they do not damage tooth enamel.
Bendigo Smiles is your trusted dentist in Bendigo, Victoria. Our highly qualified team provide a range of preventative, cosmetic and restorative dental care and advice on how to best maintain your oral health and hygiene. We’re currently offering a fantastic discount on our teeth whitening treatments – 20% off in-chair zoom whitening and custom-made take-home whitening kits (with thorough instructions on how to safely use the kit). To book an appointment, call us on (03) 5441 6447 or click here.
