Have your teeth been overwhelmed by unwelcoming stains? Stains on teeth are common but can be treated with a few adjustments to lifestyle choices. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal and snack can help prevent stains on teeth. Even with frequent brushing and flossing, teeth can still be stained with age. When this happens, there are many other ways to whiten your teeth including rinsing after eating certain foods, eliminating smoking, certain medications, whitening teeth from home, and natural remedies for whitening teeth.
Certain Foods and liquids
One great way to whiten your teeth is by being aware of which foods stain your teeth and rinsing your mouth after you consume them. Some foods that stain your teeth include foods with deep color like blueberries, beets, and blackberries. To prevent these foods from staining your teeth, you must brush your teeth immediately after eating them and rinse your mouth with water.
Although healthy for you, liquids such as red wine, cranberry juice, or grape juice can easily stain teeth. Other dark beverages such as coffee, tea, dark sodas, and sports drinks will change the color of your teeth. Fortunately, you don’t have to eliminate these drink from your diet prevent stains. After you drink a beverage, be sure to rinse your mouth with water immediately.
Whitening at home
You can use at-home tooth whitening products to lighten the stains on your teeth. Some products use mild bleach to brighten teeth. Whitening toothpaste use chemicals and abrasives to remove surface stains. Tooth-bleaching kits can remove both deep and surface stains, and they can change your natural tooth color. Toothpaste use abrasives and chemicals to remove surface stains. For deep stains, you may need a dentist's help. Tooth-whitening strips are coated with a peroxide-based gel and can be worn for a few minutes a day for week or more. The results of these strips can last for up to a year.
Natural Remedies
If you prefer not to use bleaches or other chemicals, there are also some natural cures for stained teeth. You can gently brush your teeth using baking soda to whiten teeth. Eating foods such as celery, apples, pears, and carrots can help keep teeth clean and reduce stains. You can also chew sugarless gum to trigger saliva. Saliva neutralizes the acid that causes tooth decay and washes away food from teeth.
Eliminating smoking
Stains caused by smoking and using other tobacco products can be difficult to remove by brushing alone. Tobacco leads to brown stains that penetrate into the tooth enamel. The longer you smoke, the deeper the stains seep into your teeth. Smoking is bad for your overall health, in general. Eliminating smoking can lead to whiter teeth.
Whiter Teeth and Medications
The medications you use may also be contributing to staining your teeth. Even mouthwashes which contain chlorhexidine can stain your teeth. Other medications that contribute to darker tooth color include antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, and blood pressure medications. Iron pills and excess fluoride can also contribute to stains on teeth. It is not recommended to stop taking medications for whiter teeth. You may want to ask your dentist about dental bonding, which is applying a tooth-colored material to the teeth.
See Dr. Danielle Marquis for regular checkups, and she can provide you with the best practices for a whiter smile. We offer professional cleaning and Zoom! Teeth Whitening. Call San Francisco Dental Office in San Francisco at 415-777-5115 to schedule an appointment today.