Patients’ natural dental shades vary greatly, but no matter what our base shade, we are all susceptible to developing additional staining and discoloration over time. There are, however, certain things that you can do to minimize you risk of suffering from severe discoloration. Keep reading to get some tips from our Orland Park teeth whitening dentists.
When your teeth become discolored, you may notice that your smile looks darker, greyish, or yellow.
One common type of discoloration is called environmental staining. These stains accumulate over time as color-rich foods and drinks leave deposits on the patient’s dental enamel. In order to minimize environmental stains, you want to:
- Limit your consumption of staining substances like coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine, red sauces, and chocolate
- Rinse your smile with water after eating or drinking
- Follow all of your dentist’s instructions for at-home brushing and flossing
- Keep up with your schedule of semi-annual professional dental cleanings
- Use toothpastes with whitening agents if your dentist deems this safe for your smile
Another cause of dental discoloration is wear and tear on the smile. When a patient’s dental enamel thins, the dentin of the tooth, which is naturally yellowish in color, is able to shine through to the surface of the smile. The best way to avoid this type of discoloration is to keep your enamel as thick and strong as possible. Make sure that you’re using a toothbrush that is gentle, rather than abrasive (medium and firm bristles can actually cause enamel thinning). Also, seek prompt treatment for bruxism (dental grinding) as this degrades enamel.
If you are already dealing with dental discoloration, our Tinley Park cosmetic dentists offer a number of treatment options that can refresh your smile. So, whether you’re looking to avoid discoloration or treat existing stains, give us a call to get started!