What Causes Our Teeth to Get Stained?

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Anyone can have a bright, gleaming smile when they wear it well. When your dentition looks dull and dingy, what can you do? Several factors may contribute to the dull appearance of your pearly whites.

Reasons for Staining

The following are a few reasons for tooth discoloration:

  1. Drinks
  2. Food
  3. Stain-causing particles within the tooth enamel
  4. Smoking and other tobacco use
  5. Aging

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to prevent my teeth from staining?

Maintain a good oral care routine and avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth. In most cases, keeping your teeth clean is the best way to prevent staining. Ideally, you should brush twice daily, rinse with mouthwash once a day, and floss once daily. Make sure you see your dentist at least twice a year and chew sugar-free gum between meals.

Are there any foods that stain my teeth?

Your teeth will be stained most by foods with vivid or bright colors. Soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, red pasta sauces, and berries (especially blueberries and raspberries) can stain teeth. To prevent your mouth from becoming stained, rinse with water after eating these foods.

What drinks stain teeth?

Foods with dark or bold colors, such as cola and coffee, are more likely to stain teeth than foods with lighter colors. Red wines and tea are also not recommended. It is possible for your smile to become darker if you consume these drinks daily.

Are braces staining my teeth?

Mild stains may appear after braces are removed. Despite this, the stains don’t come from braces. Instead, it’s how the teeth were taken care of while wearing braces. To prevent over-whitening your bracket-surrounded teeth, be sure not to whiten them too much. When wearing braces, avoid using whitening products and follow the other stain prevention suggestions.

Can all types of tooth stains be reversed?

Three types of stains can occur on teeth: surface, undersurface, and age-related stains. Different teeth whitening processes can benefit all three.

Ask your dentist about effective whitening solutions that get optimal results if you want a brighter, whiter smile.

Request a Consultation

Choosing the right cosmetic treatment for you depends on understanding its potential risks and costs. Contact Flatrock Family Dentistry, your Greenville, SC dentist, to learn more. Give us a call at (864) 756-5576.