When someone smiles, it totally transforms the way they look. A person’s features are immediately softened, and it’s almost as if you already know a little about them just by the way they smile. The condition of your teeth does matter for a number of reasons. First and foremost you need to think of it from an oral health standpoint, and secondly, the appearance changes the way you look when you smile and it does have an effect on your self-esteem as well. If you or someone you know has discolored teeth, it’s important that you understand why this happens so that you’re able to take preventative action.
Direct Trauma Or Disease
When we talk about trauma to the mouth and teeth, this is in direct correlation with physical damage brought on. This is especially common with children because they tend to be more active than adults, and falls or impact while playing sports can damage their teeth. These hits can damage the enamel, and if not treated, can lead to discoloration of the teeth. When it comes to disease, on the other hand, there are many infections and diseases that affect dentin and the enamel of the teeth, which also lead to the color becoming affecting.
What you Drink & Eat
This is the most common reason for getting teeth that are no longer super white. You need to become more aware of what you eat and drink and see if it affects the color of your teeth. For kids, in particular, try to keep them away from processed food and candy that has artificial coloring in it. Soda is also a big no-no, and coffee is a big culprit here, as well as red wine. When it comes to food, be careful with the food that is known to stain the teeth, such as apples and potatoes for instance.
A Lack of Oral Hygiene
You are bound to have teeth discoloration if you don’t take good care of your teeth. If you’ve never been to a dentist before and find that your teeth are starting to turn yellow, then it’s time to take action. Do a bit of research and find the best local resources that can help you out. If you’re a local in Australia for instance, then you need to find a decent clinic or product that is locally made to ensure that the quality is reliable. The at-home kits from Advanced Whitening give you insight into how you can have your teeth whitened without having to go to a dentist. These options are ideal if you find that you can’t afford to go to the dentist at the moment. You also need to make it a point to brush your teeth regularly, as well as floss, because by not doing this, you are destining yourself to stained teeth from the get-go.
Residual Effect of Medication
If you’re taking medication, especially something that is long-term, there’s a possibility that it is the reason your teeth are losing their shine and turning yellow. Many medicines have properties and chemicals in them that, unfortunately, are no good for your teeth and can eat at the enamel and stain your teeth. You’ll be surprised to find that even mouthwashes are guilty of causing discoloration, so you might want to cut down on how often you use them.
Environmental Factors
Another factor that comes into play when it comes to teeth discoloration is the environmental factors. Over the decades the quality of tap water has become worse, and this will also have a direct effect on your teeth. You’ll find that a lot of tap water has fluoride in it, and this is a great contributor to discoloration. Make sure that you use filters or only drink bottled water instead.
Age & Genetics
It’s only natural that as you age, that your bones get weaker. So it only makes sense that with age, the enamel becomes weaker, making your teeth more susceptible to discoloration. Another factor that may play a role is genetics. You should check in with other family members to find out if this is a common thing that occurs within your family. Either way, your dentist can help you out.
There are a number of reasons why your teeth may be losing their shine and becoming discolored, this is why you should certainly take the factors mentioned here into consideration and take action to ensure that you’re taking preventative measures to protect your teeth from going yellow. Make it a point to stay consistent with your hygiene and to visit your dentist on a regular basis.
