When it comes to having a movie star worthy smile, one of the first things that you need to have is a mouth full of white teeth. After all, nothing’s quite as unattractive as sitting across from someone who has a smile that is a bit more yellow than white. And although having white teeth is nice for cosmetic reasons, if you have discolored teeth, it could be an indication of other things. Read on to learn more.
You’re Dealing With Plaque Build Up
Have you ever scraped your teeth with your fingernail, only to find that you get residue off of them. What you are actually scraping off your teeth is plaque which can build up throughout the day, no matter how hard you brush. An excess amount of plaque can also cause your teeth to be coated a more yellow tint than white. In order to get rid of excess plaque, make sure that you are brushing at least twice a day, that you drink a lot of water, and that you are chewing sugar-free gum after meals when you otherwise cannot brush.
You’re Suffering From A Side Effect Of Medication
If you took tetracycline or doxycycline as a child, then you could easily develop yellow teeth or even teeth that resemble more of a grey color. And as an adult, if you have undergone any amount of chemotherapy, one of the side effects is yellowing teeth as well. Unfortunately, these types of dental stains are called “Intrinsic Stains” which means that they aren’t just on the enamel of the teeth but that they run deeper and are hard, if not impossible sometimes, to whiten.
You’re Drinking the Wrong Beverages
Beverages like coffee, black tea, and red wine are notorious for staining and discoloring your teeth. Luckily, these sorts of stains can easily be treated with even over-the-counter whitening products like whitening strips. Unfortunately, if any of the above listed beverages are on your list of favorites, you may want to consider changing to something less damaging to your teeth.
To learn more about dental whitening or to schedule an appointment, contact Centennial Dental Center today!
