What Can Stain Your Teeth?

Teeth naturally start yellowing with time. This yellowing, or staining, may progress with age, even if you regularly brush and floss. That’s because the outer layer (enamel) on your teeth is porous. Over time, this enamel absorbs stains from everything you eat and drink. 

But there are also other factors that can cause staining, that include:

Foods and Drinks

Foods and drinks that stain your teeth include coffee, red wine, dark soda, dark tea, berries, tomato sauce, berries, onions, pickles, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, beet juice, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are so many foods that stain teeth.

Tobacco Products

Tobacco products stain your teeth yellow or brown. Smokers’ teeth are damaged and weakened, and they often need restorative dental procedures. Teeth whitening procedures are rarely effective for smokers.

Avoid tobacco products to keep your teeth white. If you do smoke, talk to your dentist about your whitening options and how to prevent further staining.

Medications

If you take any medications, ask your dentist if your mouth will be affected. Some medications, including antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications, can cause dry mouth. Saliva is important because it washes away bacteria, which breaks down sugars into acids. When your mouth is dry, the bacteria are not washed away as effectively, leaving sugar to latch onto the tooth enamel.

Fluorosis

Fluorosis is a tooth condition caused by excessive fluoride. It can cause white spots on the teeth, brown spots, and pitted teeth. The effects of fluorosis are permanent, so it is important to avoid fluoride to prevent this condition.

Dental Plaque

Plaque is a sticky substance that accumulates on your teeth. Plaque is made of bacteria, mucus, and leftover food particles. It eventually hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by your dentist. When plaque isn’t removed by brushing, flossing, and rinsing, it combines with sugars found in your food and drinks to create acid that can attack your teeth.

Natural Aging

Aging is a natural process, and over time our teeth tend to change. Some of the most common side effects of aging include:

• Tooth discoloration
• Cracks and chips
• Tooth loss
• Excessive wear
• Tooth decay
• Gingivitis
• Dry mouth
• Receding gums

All of these issues stem from the aging process. However, that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable. You can protect your smile from these issues with a consistent oral hygiene routine.

Dental Trauma

Trauma, as in an injury, can result in dental damage. This often includes chipped or cracked teeth or general damage to a tooth. Trauma can also include tooth sensitivity or tenderness, excessive bleeding, or discolored teeth. It can also occur as a result of many activities, including sports, rollerblading, biking, and more. 

Tetracycline

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is also sometimes used to treat acne. It’s sometimes prescribed to children as it’s considered safe. However, it’s not safe for children under the age of eight. It can cause permanent stains on teeth, and because of this, it’s best to avoid using it to treat children.

To learn more about our dental procedures, schedule an appointment right away with Ideal Smiles of Stamford. We are located at 86 Prospect St Suite 300, Stamford, CT 06901. You can also call us at (203) 359-2222 or mail us at [email protected].