Teeth stains are a common dental issue. Professional teeth whitening is the most effective way to remove stains. Many people want to know how they can prevent yellowing of their teeth after their whitening treatment. One way is to familiarize yourself with the common causes of discoloration, so that you can avoid them when possible.
To schedule a consultation with our experienced dentists serving Aurora, Denver and the surrounding areas, please call Aspenwood Dental Associates and Colorado Dental Implant Center at 720-400-8546.
What You Drink
Beverages are a common source of teeth discoloration. Here are the main culprits:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Wine
Some of these beverages cause stains because the drinks themselves are deeply pigmented. They may contain chromogens or tannins, two sources of stains. Beverages may also lead to stains via enamel erosion, which can be caused by soda and other carbonated beverages. When the enamel wears, it can't resist staining beverages and foods as well.
So what can you do? One option is to swish water around in your mouth after drinking these beverages. Doing so will wash the liquid off the surface of your teeth. You can also brush your teeth. Or, consider using a straw for sodas and iced tea. Using a straw means much of the liquid will go into the area of your mouth behind your teeth, instead of the front surface of the teeth.
For coffee in particular, some evidence has shown that adding dairy milk can prevent stains. The components of dairy milk bind to the stain-causing molecules of coffee, helping to carry those molecules away from your teeth.
What You Eat
Foods are also a source of teeth stains. Here are some of the main ones:
- Berries
- Beets
- Tomato sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Curry sauce
Instead of skipping these foods altogether, you can employ some of the same techniques you do for beverages. Rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth are both good options. In fact, you should wait 20-30 minutes after eating before brushing. During that time, your tooth enamel is quite sensitive. The bacteria in your mouth are making an acidic product when starches and sugars are present on your teeth. The acidic product makes the enamel basically softer and more vulnerable to the abrasion of brushing. So waiting 30 minutes allows your enamel to harden up again.
Your Oral Hygiene Habits
Poor oral hygiene can lead to discolored teeth. Practice good dental care to keep your teeth as white as possible:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes each time
- Use gentle pressure to brush your teeth – scrubbing or forceful brushing is unnecessary
- Floss once a day, every day
- Visit our dentists for your routine cleaning and exam
Plaque can discolor your tooth enamel, and proper dental hygiene reduces plaque. But don't be surprised if your teeth aren't as white as you want. The most effective way to remove stains is with professional teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening in Aurora
Want to find out if teeth whitening is right for you? To arrange a consultation in Aurora, Colorado, please call Aspenwood Dental Associates at 720-400-8546. We proudly serve families from across the surrounding areas, including Denver. We look forward to meeting you to discuss your goals.