White teeth can make you appear young, fresh and confident — what are the main culprits that are causing unsightly stains on your teeth?
When we’re happy, we smile — but did you know that smiling can also make you happy? Studies have shown the act of grinning can make you less stressed, more cheerful and even healthier. That’s right! The simple act of smiling can seriously boost your immune system.
There is one issue that holds many people back from smiling, though, and that’s teeth discolouration. If you have stains on your teeth or they have a yellow or brownish hue, you might do all you can to hide your formerly pearly whites from being seen. Thankfully, we at the Tooth Doctor offer teeth whitening in Basildon. We even offer whitening on finance, so you can look dazzling in no time.
But as a preventative measure, we thought we would help you by highlighting the five biggest culprits when it comes to teeth discolouration.
1. Tobacco — Yet Another Reason to Give Up!
Nobody is saying that giving up a smoking habit is an easy thing to do. It takes time and devotion, but living live without cigarettes provides a whole host of health benefits. Quitting can lead to more energy, lower stress levels, younger-looking skin and, importantly, whiter teeth.
Anyone knowledgeable about dental care will know that smoking tobacco can put you at an elevated chance of gum disease, as well as other oral health issues. On top of this, cigarettes are almost guaranteed to advance the yellowing of your teeth and leave stains.
Nicotine in tobacco smoke clings to your tooth enamel and gives it a yellowy-brown tinge. So if you are trying to maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth, or if you have recently had professional teeth whitening, you should think seriously about giving up the habit.
Certain Drinks — Your Favourite Indulgence Could be the Culprit
It might be your favourite way to relax and unwind at the end of the day but, unfortunately, your favourite alcoholic drink might be the cause of your less-than-white teeth!
Everyone knows that red wine can cause teeth discolouration, but what most people don’t know is that white wine can also do damage, due to its high acidic content. But it doesn’t end there — drinks such as black coffee and tea can also cause teeth staining, as can sodas. If you want to try to avoid staining your teeth in this way, you should use straws, brush or rinse immediately after drinking and floss regularly.
Dark-Coloured Foods — Curries and Other Takeaways Can Leave You with Stains on Teeth
For anyone with a love for curry, you might be heartbroken to learn that your favourite Indian dish might be doing your teeth a disservice. This can also be true of your local Chinese takeaway, as soy sauce has been proven to stain teeth. Pasta sauce and certain berries can also stain your teeth, so although the food you eat might be providing you with antioxidants and vitamins, please take care and ensure you scrub them clean afterwards.
Poor Dental Hygiene — Don’t Just Pay It Lip Service!
A failure to brush and floss on a daily basis is one of the leading causes of tooth discolouration. Without regular and thorough dental hygiene, bacteria and food particles cling to your teeth, leading to stains. Something as simple as brushing twice a day and flossing once could keep stains at bay, meaning you can indulge in a dark drink a takeaway once in a while!
Age — It’s Inevitable, but the Tooth Doctor Can Help Fight the Effects
Nobody relishes the idea of getting older, but it’s a sad reality that with age, our teeth lose their shine and their whiteness. Over time, our tooth enamel slowly wears down and degrades, meaning the dentin begins to show through. Dentin is yellowish in colour, which is why our teeth start to look less pristine as we age.
Thankfully, there are a number of dental services that can help you fight the signs of ageing. Tooth Doctor offers Boutique Whitening, a premium-quality whitening gel that delivers superior results in just a few days. We use this in conjunction with Philips Zoom, which is used to activate the whitening solution. In four fifteen-minute sessions (which take place during one visit), you can have teeth that are several shades whiter, thereby shaving years off your appearance and giving you a youthful glow.
For a free dental consultation at Tooth Doctor, get in touch today. We can talk you through your options and help revitalise your smile in no time.
