It’s no secret that having white teeth is a sign of beauty and good oral hygiene. However, many people in San Ramon, California, struggle with teeth discoloration for some reasons – from drinking coffee and tea to smoking cigarettes. While there are several ways to get your teeth whitened, such as using at-home kits or visiting a San Ramon Teeth Whitening specialist, many things prevent you from having a bright smile. Here are some of them.
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Poor Dental Hygiene
One of the most common reasons for teeth discoloration is poor dental hygiene. If you’re not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, plaque and bacteria will build up on your teeth and cause them to yellow over time. Brushing and flossing every day will help maintain healthy teeth and prevent discoloration.
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Food and Drink
Another common culprit for teeth discoloration is food and drink. Colored drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can all cause your teeth to stain over time. Foods like blueberries and soy sauce can also have the same effect. If you’re looking to maintain white teeth, it’s best to avoid these items or brush your teeth immediately after consuming them.
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Tobacco Use
Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products is one of the leading causes of teeth discoloration. The nicotine and tar in tobacco will stain your teeth over time, making them yellow or even brown. If you’re looking to keep your teeth white, it’s best to quit smoking altogether.
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Aging
As we age, our teeth naturally start to yellow. This is due to the wear and tear of everyday life and the thinning of tooth enamel. While there’s no way to prevent this entirely, there are many ways to slow down the process, such as brushing your teeth regularly and using whitening products.
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Certain Medications
Some medications can also cause teeth discoloration. This color usually occurs when they contain a chemical that can stain your teeth. If you’re taking any new medicines, it’s best to ask your dentist if they can cause tooth discoloration.
The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline can discolor teeth, causing them to become yellow, brown, or black. This is especially true for children who are still growing, as the antibiotics can cause their teeth to become permanently stained.
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Taking Water with High Fluoride Levels
Another cause of teeth discoloration is high levels of fluoride in water. If you live in an area where the water has high fluoride levels, your teeth will likely start to yellow over time. While there’s no way to avoid this, you can try using a water filter that removes fluoride or drinking bottled water instead.
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Chemotherapy and Radiation-Based Medical Procedures
If you’ve undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy, your teeth will likely become discolored. This is because the chemicals used in these treatments can cause your teeth to stain. If you’re undergoing either of these treatments, it’s best to talk to your dentist about ways to prevent tooth discoloration.
Teeth discoloration can be caused by various things, from poor dental hygiene to smoking cigarettes. Understanding the causes can help you prevent the brightness of your smile. This also means long-lasting treatment of your teeth’ discoloration. Finding a good dentist means a lot.
