You might have noticed people around you or yourself have discolored teeth at one point. This means the color of the teeth is not white as it should be. Instead, it is yellowish or has darkened, or your teeth have peculiar spots on them.
Discoloration may not only be embarrassing but can signify an underlying oral issue that you need to look after. Numerous factors may contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. You may wonder why you have yellow teeth despite not being an active smoker or a tobacco consumer. But in reality, those are not the only factors that contribute to the discoloration. If you live in NYC and are looking for a dentist in Brooklyn, New York, click the link.
Types of teeth discoloration
There are two ways a person’s teeth can change their color. They have been classified into:
- Intrinsic
This is the kind of discoloration wherein the teeth are affected from the inside, as in the dentin layer is affected, and hence the color of the teeth is changed. This can sometimes be due to the medicines that you are on.
- Extrinsic
This kind of discoloration occurs due to the actions of external factors like beverages or the type of food that you consume. This can be avoided with changes in your eating habits.
Causes of teeth discoloration
Your teeth can change their color based on various factors. You can avoid some, and some are inevitable.
- Consuming beverages like coffee or tea or some dark-colored drinks like red wine can change the color of your teeth.
- Consuming tobacco or smoking are the biggest reasons many have discolored teeth.
- If you do not brush your teeth properly, or your dental hygiene is poor, your teeth are bound to get affected.
How to prevent teeth discoloration?
You can use the following tips to avoid staining your teeth:
- Avoid consuming tobacco or excessive smoking. Cut back on those habits as they affect your teeth and harm your other body parts in the long run.
- If you are a caffeine addict and cannot start or end your day without beverages like coffee or tea, you should try limiting those.
- Maintain proper dental hygiene and follow apt brushing techniques. Brushing your teeth mindlessly will not help you remove the plaque on your teeth.
- You can use straws if you drink fluids that are prone to stain your teeth.
- Drink as much water as possible to wash away any plaque or liquids that remain in your mouth after you consume something.
- If your teeth are visibly discolored and making you insecure, you can visit a dentist to discuss teeth-whitening procedures.
