Certain psychophysical studies on tooth colour and whiteness indicate that ‘whiter’ teeth lead to a perception that is more positive on personality traits such as social appeal, intellectual ability and relationship satisfaction.
Stained teeth is the discolouration of a tooth surface or surfaces as a result of dental caries, tobacco, and/or other food and drinks. This may be internal, external or at birth.
Several factors affect the color of the tooth. They are as follows:
● Colour of the enamel and dentin
● Age (teeth are lighter at a younger age than at an older age),
● Dental caries
● a Poorly fitted dental crown or prostheses
● Very old fillings
● Nicotine (nicotine teeth) and tobacco smoking
● Excessive coffee consumption
● Drinking too much wine
Determination of the causative factor causing staining plays an important role in treatment planning. However certain reliances can result in stained teeth:
Tea and Coffee
Studies prove the beverage -especially the basic black variety -can cause more stains. Herbal and white teas can wear the enamel, and cause stains, too.
Dark-coloured sauces and dips
Acidic foods and drinks can impact your teeth as well. Sports or energy drinks can disintegrate enamel, causing stained teeth.
Wine and White Teeth
Red wine, known for its rich, dark color is known to result in discoloured teeth.
Fruits and Berries
Blueberries, cherries, blackberries, pomegranates, and other coloured fruits can stain teeth. Pale-coloured fruits, like white grapes and white cranberries, are less likely to stain teeth.
Soda, Cola, and Other Sparkling Drinks
The acids and pigments in these drinks can lead to serious stains. Moreover, the chemicals that add flavor can corrode the enamel as well.
Candy and Sweets
Coloured hard candy, chewing gum, or a Popsicle, that makes your tongue change color can stain your teeth too. However, if you eat those goodies infrequently, they probably will not do much harm.
Excess Fluoride
Use of a fluoride toothpaste in addition to excess fluoride in the drinking water, frequent fluoride treatments and consumption of fluoride supplements altogether will cause teeth to discolour quickly (fluorosis teeth)
“If that is the case, shall I cease consuming all these beverages and foods?”
According to your gentle Canberra dentist at Molonglo Dental Surgery, complete discontinuation of offending foods and beverages is not the solution.
However, the following directions will certainly lessen the number of discoloured teeth after the consumption of the coloured food and beverages.
1) Consume in Moderation
You may not want to withdraw all the food and drinks that cause stained teeth.blueberries, blackberries, and tomato sauce are rich in antioxidants. So eating them in moderation will prevent stained teeth.
2) Swallow Swiftly
Avoid stain-causing foods and drinks to stay in your mouth for an extended duration. Chew your food well and sip your drinks swiftly.
3) Rinse, Brush- After Eating
Rinse your mouth with water after you eat or drink anything that can stain. Wait 30 minutes before you brush after eating. However if you don’t have your toothbrush, chew some sugarless gum as soon as you’ve eaten.
What are the various treatment options for discoloured teeth?
A famous comedian once mentioned, “ If you have yellow teeth, wear a brown tie or a red lipstick.”X
It’s a nice camouflage but, unfortunately, not a remedy.
Your dentist gum specialist at Molonglo Dental Surgery empathises with patients who want a whiter and a brighter smile. After a thorough assessment of the cause, the degree of discolouration and the honouring of patients’ wishes, a combination of one or more of the following treatment options can be availed:
1) Using suitable tooth brushing and flossing techniques
2)Avoiding over-consumption of foods and beverages that can cause stains.
3) Additionally, there are many alternatives available for bleaching teeth. These are:
● Home bleaching kit (bleaching trays from dentist at home)
● In-office bleaching treatments with teeth whitening dentist
● Laser bleaching treatments
To learn more about these treatments and to understand which of them is suitable for your teeth, kindly call us on 0262871222 to book a consultation appointment.
As with any procedure, there are a few side effects to teeth whitening treatment. For instance, if you are sensitive to the bleaching chemicals used, you may have sore gums and painful teeth for a few days after the procedure.
Some stains remain unaffected by the use of teeth bleach.In that case, your veneers dentist at Molonglo Dental Surgery will provide you with the option of cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers and dental crowns.
