These Five Habits Can Cause Tooth Discoloration
If your pearly whites aren’t looking so pearly white these days, you are not alone. Many of our patients have discolored teeth caused by their lifestyle, their genetics, and their oral hygiene habits. Today, we want to talk about five common habits that can lead to tooth discoloration and share some strategies for getting a whiter smile.
1. Coffee
While you may feel like your day doesn’t truly begin until you’ve had your first cup of coffee, this habit may be affecting your smile without your knowledge. Coffee is notorious for staining teeth and over time you may notice brown stains caused by the energizing beverage. You can limit the effect of coffee on your teeth by sipping water alongside your coffee as well as moderating your coffee intake.
2. Red Wine
Who doesn’t enjoy winding down from their day with a glass of red wine? In fact, studies show that a glass of red wine provides health-boosting antioxidants. For all its positive benefits, red wine can have an unintended negative consequence: it can stain your teeth. Practice good oral hygiene and follow your red wine with a glass of water to protect your teeth.
3. Smoking
It’s common knowledge that smoking can damage your health and increase your risk of developing a variety of dangerous conditions. It can also affect your appearance: over time, smoking can cause teeth to yellow and even turn to dark brown or black as a result of the nicotine and tar in cigarettes. The best way to protect your teeth is to quit smoking. However, you may be able to limit some of the damage through proper oral hygiene.
4. Poor Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is a powerful thing. If you practice good oral hygiene, you can reduce or eliminate your risk for developing many common dental conditions. On the other hand, poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, and unsightly stains on your teeth.
5. Medication
If you notice that your teeth appear stained but you cannot figure out why, our team can help. Dr. Curtis may be able to help you determine that one of your medications is responsible. In fact, many medications have side effects like dry mouth or stained teeth.
Preventive Care Is Key
The best way to protect your teeth from developing stains is to practice preventive care. This means following a good oral hygiene routine at home: brush your teeth twice each day for two minutes each time, and floss every day.
It also means visiting our office every six months or so for professional cleanings and exams. These regular visits allow our team to keep a close eye on your oral health and treat any developing problems before they become major concerns. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your next visit, call our office today!