In many aspects of our lives, presenting a clean and put-together appearance is nine-tenths of the law in order to make positive connections with people that can lead to lasting and productive personal or professional relationships. But, let’s face it—most of us have already formed opinions and first impressions of people within 10 seconds of meeting them. And one of the first things we tend to notice about people is how they’re dressed, how well groomed they are, their hygiene, and what their teeth look like. Essentially, all of our initial judgments of our fellow human beings are appearance-based, which is only a small part of the reason why it’s important to seek teeth whitening treatments in Toronto if you have extremely yellow teeth. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of both professional and private treatment options to consider.
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What Causes Tooth Discolouration?
Before delving into the plethora of at-home and in-office treatment options, remedies, and tooth discolouration prevention methods, it’s important to identify the underlying cause(s) of the problem.
Age
As we age, the enamel on our teeth naturally thins and increasingly reveals the yellow dentin underneath. This is a completely natural part of the aging process and while it’s unavoidable, it can be slowed down.
Certain Foods and Beverages
We all know that certain foods and beverages such as red wine, coffee, tea, beets, blueberries, etc. naturally contain strong pigments that can inevitably stain your teeth.
Poor Dental Hygiene
If you don’t adequately take care of your teeth by brushing twice daily and flossing every night before bed, your teeth will develop plaque and tartar buildup which can lead to discolouration. In some cases, maintaining beautiful pearly whites is as simple as practicing proper dental hygiene on a regular basis.
Disease and Medications
Sometimes, tooth discolouration is an unfortunate symptom or side effect of certain diseases or medications. You should consult your doctor or dentist if this is a particular concern for you.
Some Dental Materials and Corrective Procedures
Certain dental appliances such as metal-wired braces and amalgam restorations, can actually lead to tooth discolouration for a variety of reasons.
Excessive Fluoride Use
Believe it or not, exposing your teeth to too much fluoride either by consuming a lot of water with a high fluoride concentration or by overusing dental products that contain fluoride, you could be doing more harm than good. The saying “everything in moderation” is applicable here. The teeth will still be strong but may discolour.
Physical Trauma to the Face
Any injury has the potential to lead to permanent damage and this is especially true for young children, whose bone structure is still developing and therefore, vulnerable. Teeth that are damaged, cracked, or shift out of position due to an injury or accident could lose a significant amount of surface enamel. Over time, these teeth may also discolour on the inside due to changes that occur to the nerve.
Tobacco
In addition to the large number of potentially life-threatening conditions, illnesses, and side effects of smoking or chewing tobacco, it can also cause severe tooth decay and discolouration.
Methods of Preventing and Reducing the Look of Tooth Discolouration
Now that we’ve established some of the potential causes of tooth discolouration, it’s time to talk about different ways to prevent teeth stains as well as remedies of restoring the naturally white look of your teeth.
Brush and Floss Regularly
This is common knowledge that’s instilled for most people from a young age. In order to have healthy, clean, and strong teeth it’s imperative that you take good care of them and form good hygiene habits early on. Brush your teeth twice daily in circular motions, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and non-abrasive toothpaste. Also, floss once a night before bed to remove all remnants of food and debris from between your teeth.
Drink More Water and Rinse Out Your Mouth After Every Meal
Unlike coffee, tea, or soft drinks, water doesn’t contain any teeth staining agents and drinking more of it will prevent you from consuming large amounts of those other liquids. It’s also an excellent way to stay fully hydrated throughout the day and you can use water to rinse out your mouth anywhere you are just by taking a sip, swishing it around for a bit, and then swallowing it.
Dental Disclosing Solution
A dental disclosing solution is an excellent way to help track and prevent stains on your teeth. You can either get some from your dentist if you want a personalized recommendation or you can purchase it from any drugstore or online. Essentially, what it does is it helps identify problem areas on your teeth after brushing by forming blue or green spots on your teeth. These spots indicate where there’s a lot of plaque buildup and that you need to improve upon your brushing technique.
Quit Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
In order to maintain the health and appearance of your teeth, not to mention your overall health and to avoid sickness, you should absolutely quit smoking or chewing tobacco. This can cause a series of different health problems, the least serious of which is tooth decay and discolouration.
Use A Straw When Consuming Certain Beverages
If you’re partial to enjoying a morning cup of coffee or tea and are wondering how to prevent stains on your teeth without having to give up either one, then there’s somewhat of a solution for you. It’s not ideal for hot beverages, but in order to diminish the amount of liquid that comes into contact with your teeth, you could drink your coffee or tea through a straw.
Schedule Regular Teeth Cleaning Appointments with Your Dentist
On average, patients should be getting their teeth cleaned once every six months, or twice a year. Some people with more advanced tooth discolouration might require more frequent teeth cleaning sessions than that such as once every three to four months instead. It all depends on each individual case and what your dentist recommends for you.
Tooth Discolouration Treatment in Etobicoke
Princeview Dental Group conducts regular teeth cleaning, whitening, and stain removal treatments for residents of Toronto and Etobicoke, Ontario. We also offer a wide variety of dental services that include emergency dental care, replacing teeth with implants, root canals, and so much more.
To learn more about our clinic or to schedule an appointment, please contact us.
