3 Common Causes Of Discolored Teeth

When you think about teeth, you might think about them being white. They are often referred to as your "pearly whites," after all. However, when you look in the mirror, you might find that your teeth are actually more of a yellowish hue rather than being the bright white that you would like for them to be. Luckily, a dentist can help you with this by performing a professional whitening. You can also look into a take-home whitening tray from your dentist, or you can shop for whitening products at the local drugstore. Regardless, you might be wondering what has caused your teeth to change colors so that you can prevent them from becoming even more discolored in the future. These are a few common causes of discolored teeth.

1. Your Diet

Did you know that the things that you eat and drink can cause your teeth to change colors? For example, red wine can cause staining on your teeth. Additionally, red berries, spaghetti sauce and other similar foods can cause staining as well. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent your teeth from becoming discolored, such as by using a straw when you are drinking dark-colored beverages and making sure that you rinse out your mouth thoroughly after eating other foods that can cause staining. Avoiding dark-colored food and drinks before big events can also help you ensure that your teeth look their best.

2. Smoking

Do you smoke cigarettes? If so, you should know that they are bad for more than just your lungs. Over time, smoking or using other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, can cause your teeth to become stained. Having your teeth whitened can help, but quitting smoking is the ideal solution if you want to avoid discolored teeth and the other problems that can go along with tobacco use.

3. Medication

Did you know that some types of medication can actually cause your teeth to become discolored? Check the side effects for your medications to see if this is listed as a potential side effect, or talk to your doctor. If you find that your medication is having this effect, you may be able to talk to your doctor about an alternative that will not cause this problem.

As you can see, there are various common causes of discolored teeth. Getting to the bottom of the problem can help you keep your teeth white in the future. In the meantime, consider talking to a dentist like http://www.thefamilydentist-lakeland.com about your whitening options so that you can get the bright white teeth that you have always wanted.


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