5 Habits That Can Stain Your Teeth

Contact the Dental Anesthesia Center for all your teeth whitening and dental needs. We are here to help restore your smile and enhance your confidence.

Your teeth are the first thing someone notices when you talk or smile. Unfortunately, they are delicate and prone to staining and discoloration. This tends to negatively impact one’s self-esteem and mental health, considering how beauty-conscious society is. Below, we discuss five habits that can stain your teeth and how our dentists at the Dental Anesthesia Center can help restore your smile and confidence.

Drinking Teeth-Staining Beverages

Coffee, tea, and wine are top on the list of beverages that cause teeth staining. This is because they contain tannin, which causes staining and tooth discoloration.
Also, acidic drinks such as sodas also cause discoloration. Acid from these drinks erodes the enamel over time, making it weaker. This allows penetration of residue into the teeth, causing intrinsic staining and exposure of the naturally yellow dentin layer.

Food Pocketing

Food pocketing refers to holding food or drinks in the mouth for a long time. Continued food pocketing leads to more plaque sticking on the surface of the teeth. It also allows hydrochloric acid in the mouth to react and weaken the enamel. A weak or cracked enamel allows compounds responsible for staining teeth to sip inside the teeth causing discoloration easily.

Smoking

Tobacco contains nicotine and tar, which are easily absorbed into the teeth, causing discoloration. Nicotine on its own is a colorless compound that doesn’t cause staining but its combination with oxygen results in a brown compound responsible for teeth staining. This means that electronic cigarettes and nicotine gum can also cause teeth to stain.

Chewing tobacco is also a leading cause of teeth staining. This is because tobacco mixes with saliva to form a brown paste that is highly staining.

Dental Hygiene

Extended periods without brushing teeth or flossing cause an accumulation of plaque and food residue that causes teeth to stain. Additionally, prolonged use of mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or fluoride also causes teeth discoloration. Chlorhexidine is important for killing germs in your mouth but using excessive amounts or for a long period leaves a brown residue on the teeth.

Please don’t neglect your teeth; take care of them. And remember to visit a dentist regularly. A dentist will give you proper recommendations on how to take care of your teeth to avoid illnesses and conditions such as staining.

Bruxism

Bruxism refers to jaw clenching and teeth grinding. It is an unconscious habit that mostly happens to people during sleep or when stressed and anxious. Friction between the teeth causes the enamel to wear out, exposing the naturally yellow dentin. Dentin is a delicate internal part of the tooth made up of nerves and pulp, which are vital for the quality and health of teeth.

Let Us Brighten Your Smile and Boost Your Confidence Today

Contact the Dental Anesthesia Center for all your teeth whitening and dental needs. We are here to help restore your smile and enhance your confidence. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.