Over time, our dental hygiene habits and even the foods and drinks we consume could increase the risk of discoloration forming on the surfaces of our teeth. Since we’re not able to offer cosmetic care at the moment, you need to take steps to protect your smile’s appearance from home. In today’s blog, your Overland Park, KS, dentist explains how to fight teeth stains.
What Causes Dental Discoloration?
Stains form on our teeth over time due to a number of different factors, so making a few simple changes to our habits could help teeth stay brighter until we can once again offer cosmetic treatment, such as teeth whitening. Did you know that when we eat sugary and starchy foods, such as candies or chips, this leaves behind particles for bacteria to consume, creating plaque buildup? Lack of proper brushing and flossing also aids in the onset of serious plaque buildup and this layer of bacterial byproduct could not only make stains more visible, but increases the risk of tooth and gum disease. Drinks with tannins and dark pigments, like soda, tea, red wine, and coffee, could also discolor smiles, as could smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products!
Possible Solutions
To help control discoloration, make sure you brush your teeth when you wake and again before bed for at least two minutes each time. You also need to floss before bed each night! These actions help remove food particles and reduce the severity of plaque. We also suggest a healthier diet with more fresh fruits and veggies, and also drinking more water as opposed to sugary beverages or those with tannins. Avoiding cigarettes and other tobacco products, as they not only stain your teeth, but increases the risk of cancer.
What About My Over-The-Counter Options?
While you can definitely find products that offer brighter smiles at stores, we want you to be aware of the downsides. For example, whitening toothpastes can be effective, but they also contain abrasive agents to remove discoloration, and these same agents could weaken tooth enamel. Whitening strips could cause tooth sensitivity and if used improperly, a translucent appearance. Instead, taking better care of your smile each day could keep it bright until our professional systems can be used to remove or mask stains. If you have any questions about better homecare habits, or about our teeth whitening treatments, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Keeping Your Smile Bright?
Our team understands how important a bright smile is, and we want you to safeguard your smile’s beauty. To learn more about protecting your smile’s appearance, then schedule your consultation by calling Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.