Today, everyone wants the Hollywood smile. You only have to look at your favorite movie star, model, or influencer and you’ll probably notice they have perfect-looking teeth. It is important to note that having great teeth does improve your confidence, which will often allow you to achieve greater success in life.
It can seem difficult to emulate these people when you have stained teeth. But, the good news is that you can do something about your teeth. First, it helps to understand the most common causes of stained teeth.
Excess Fluoride
Fluoride is generally considered beneficial to the human body as it boosts bone and teeth strength. However, excessive levels of fluoride can cause spotting. This is when you have small spots on your teeth, usually yellow.
The spots are difficult to get rid of but it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your teeth. It’s cosmetic and the best way to deal with it is to reduce fluoride intake and speak to a reputable Alexandria dentist. They can advise you of the best way forward.
Bad Hygiene
This is possibly the biggest cause of stained teeth. If you don’t look after your teeth properly then plaque will build up, coating your teeth and allowing stains from food to embed themselves further into your teeth.
It’s one of the reasons why you should be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day and flossing at least once.
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Food & Drink
Unsurprisingly, what you eat and drink has an effect on your teeth. The most obvious foods and drinks to be wary of are coffee, tea, fizzy cola, and red wine. These will stained your teeth. Foods such as pasta and potatoes, anything that is starchy, will make your teeth more susceptible to staining. It may be time to review your diet.
Tobacco
This also won’t be a surprise. Smoking regularly or chewing tobacco is certain to stain your teeth. They will look brown and the stains are not easy to remove. You’ll need to stop the tobacco and visit your dentist to get the issue sorted.
Age
Unfortunately, the ageing process can give you yellow teeth. This is because your teeth have been used a lot, and the outer layer of enamel has been worn away.
Medical Conditions
There don’t appear to be any prescription medications that influence the color of your teeth. However, some diseases can prevent your enamel from developing properly. This makes it easier to see the inner layer of your tooth, that’s dentin and it will give your teeth a yellow hue.
Equally, treatments such as chemotherapy can influence the structure of your teeth, causing them to be discolored. There’s not much you can do to avoid this.
But, in all cases, there are solutions. They start with visiting your dentist and discussing your concerns. The dentist will be able to advise the best course of action and help you remove the stains. But you’ll need to avoid the cause of the stain if you don’t want them to return.