Tooth Discoloration - the Road to a Brighter Smile

Have you ever looked at a photo of yourself and asked, “Do my teeth really look that dark?” Well, you are not alone! The reality is, our teeth are porous, similar to a sponge, so they can absorb many of the food and drinks that contribute to discoloration. Coffee, tea, and red wine are usually the prime suspects, but there are so many other causes to tooth discoloration!

Top 3 Culprits

1. Diet

Did you know that some of our favorite treats— like coffee or tea in the morning, a glass of wine in the evening, or even an apple on a crisp, Autumn day — can lead to teeth staining?? Over time, a number of foods and drinks with dark pigments or high acidic content can cause our pearly whites to lose their sparkle. The acidity of foods and drinks makes our enamel weaker, more porous, and increasingly vulnerable to dark foods and drinks.

2. Inconsistent or Improper Cleaning

If you are not bruising twice a day or you are not using the proper brushing/flossing technique, plaque can quickly form and harden into tartar, leaving a yellowish-brown stain, most commonly along your gum line, and in severe cases, lead to tooth decay, which can appear brown/black in color.

3. Age

The elephant in the room….as we age, the outer layer of enamel gets worn down exposing the yellow dentin. This is completely normal and natural. Your dentin also grows as you age, which decreases the size of the pulp, or nerve, which gives blood and overall nourishment to the tooth itself. Over many years, the translucency of the tooth reduces, making teeth appear darker.

Prevention Tips

In general, the single best step you take to help prevent teeth discoloration is to consistently take good care of your teeth and your health. In-home habits combined with twice-a-year professional cleanings will remove stubborn stains and early decay. If you need a little extra help adding sparkle to your smile, here are a few additional tips:

• Up your game when it comes to daily brushing habits. Brush your teeth for two minutes, first when you wake up and again before bed. Also, do not consume foods or drinks at least 10-15 min after brushing/flossing.
• Add an electric toothbrush or Waterpik™ to your regimen. Have you considered using a Waterpik™ to reach the tiny but important crevices that we often don’t see? Implementing an eclectic toothbrush and/or a Waterpik™ is the closest you can get to a professional cleaning.
• Have a straw handy. Consider using a reusable straw to sip some of the acidic or more stain-causing liquids like tea, certain juices, and lemonade to prevent staining teeth in the front of the mouth.
• Always have water handy and accessible - - not only to keep you healthy and hydrated, but to wash the acidic, stain-producing food and beverages off your teeth.

Professional Teeth Whitening 

At Vacca Family Dentistry, we offer Philips Zoom Whitening™ at a variety of different strengths and intensities to fit every patient! Call us to schedule your whitening consultation today,

Remember, while there are options for every budget, it pays to know which are safe and effective — and which may do more harm than good. We are always here to help. We’d love to answer any questions you may have on over-the-counter whitening products, what we recommend or don’t recommend, and whether or not you’d be a candidate for at-home professional whitening.