The Tooth Stain And It’s Nemesis
Most everyone has stains on their teeth, whether they realize it or not. Over time, a number of factors affect the color of our teeth. Although teeth are naturally a very light yellow to a yellow-red color, they become a deeper shade of yellow, take on a gray tint, or even a brown one, based on what we eat, medications we take or smoking.
Before we talk about food stains, which normally color teeth yellow, let’s talk about medications. Almost all medications are safe for your teeth and will not discolor them in any way. However, prolonged use of such antibiotics as tetracycline can alter tooth color to a blue-grey hue. This type of tooth stain is much harder to remove than those caused by food and drink or smoking. Too much fluoride can also discolor teeth.
People with very yellow teeth which are sometimes brown around the edges are often recognized as smokers right away. The nicotine contained in cigarettes tends to discolor the teeth and the smoke can attach itself to plaque on the teeth for an even less appealing effect.
The main foods that cause tooth discoloration are not actually foods, but drinks. Coffee is the number one offender. However, cola, wine and tea also contribute to tooth discoloration. The dark pigmentation of these drinks tend to leech past the enamel and into the dentin, the less dense part of the tooth, causing them to be more yellow than they naturally would.
Foods that might cause tooth stains are curry, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce and other foods that are highly colored and often have an acidic element that weakens the enamel even more. Eating a lot of these types of foods can cause your teeth to become more yellow.
Although it is virtually impossible to avoid all foods or products that will cause a tooth stain, there is plenty that can be done to help counteract the effects of these foods. Here are a few:
1. When eating a meal with these foods, also eat lettuce or spinach, which naturally combat tooth staining
2. Brush teeth after each meal
3. Polish teeth with paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
4. At least rinse your mouth out after you eat
5. Chew sugar free gum (producing more saliva will help prevent stains
6. Do not brush too harshly or with abrasives that may damage the enamel
Although tooth stains effect everyone, following these steps can help you keep your teeth whiter longer. Of course, there are many tooth whitening products available today that can give you a whiter smile, if that is what you are looking for. From whitening toothpaste to tooth whitening kits, there are plenty to choose from to help you fight off those tooth stains and get the beautiful smile you want.

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