Discolored Teeth

Stained, discolored teeth can affect your smile. Poor oral hygiene is the main contributory factor for discoloration of teeth in children as well as adults. If your teeth have become extremely yellow and this dental problem has become a cause of cosmetic concern, you could seek the help of professional teeth whitening methods like bleaching to get rid of this problem. Here's some information on the causes and treatment of this dental problem.

Discoloration of Teeth

Causes

Those who eat acidic food are at an increased risk of suffering from tooth coloration. A high intake of tea, coffee and aerated drinks can also harm the enamel coating and leave ugly stains on your teeth. Smoking or chewing tobacco can also have an adverse impact on the dental health. Discoloration of teeth is one of the major side effects of chewing tobacco. Those who continue having these products end up with permanent stains on their teeth.

Tooth discoloration can also be age-related. As we age, the inner structure of the teeth or dentin might become yellow. Due to a lack of dental care, the enamel becomes thinner and this exposes the yellow dentin. In case of small children whose teeth are still under the stage of development, injuries or use of certain drugs such as tetracycline and doxycycline can also impact the enamel formation.

Enamel development can also be affected before a baby is born. If the mother suffers from certain infections, the infant may suffer from tooth discoloration. Those who have a habit of brushing their teeth vigorously can also harm the enamel coating and that might aggravate this dental problem. Some of the materials used in dentistry such as silver sulfide can also cause tooth discoloration. People who wear orthodontic braces might notice discoloration of teeth after braces are removed. Those who wear braces might find it difficult to brush their teeth properly and this results in formation of plaque. Plaque buildup will damage the enamel coating and when the braces are removed, you might notice decalcified enamel spots on your teeth.

Treatment

First of all, you must start paying attention to dental health and hygiene. You must brush and floss your teeth regularly. Cutting down on your intake of coffee, tea, aerated drinks or acidic food will also help. If possible, brush your teeth after every meal. You could also rinse your mouth with a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash.

Since excess of fluorine is responsible for discoloration of teeth, you must check for the concentration of fluoride in your drinking water. Those who wear braces must brush their teeth properly to prevent plaque buildup. You must go for regular check ups to ensure that your teeth are in a good condition. Besides taking these precautions, you could get your teeth cleaned by a dentist every six months.

You could also use teeth whitening methods to whiten your teeth. If you are not keen on using teeth whitening kits or professional methods of teeth whitening, you could also try some natural teeth whitening methods. You could whiten teeth with baking soda. All you need to do is mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with a teaspoon of salt and apply it on your teeth. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and rinse your mouth with water. Another method for teeth whitening is applying a paste of crushed strawberries and baking soda on your teeth. Leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse your mouth with water. Including certain vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes in your diet will also help in getting rid of stains.

If you have stained teeth, it's time to pay attention to oral hygiene. Dietary changes and home remedies can solve this problem to a great extent. You could also try professional teeth whitening methods to whiten your teeth.