Staining is one of the most common dental problems a person can face. Most have had the experience of doing a routine oral check and finding yellows and browns instead of pearly whites. But why do these stains appear over time? More importantly, is there anything you can do about them?
As it happens, yellow teeth are a Round Rock dentist specialty. Here’s a summary of some causes and solutions for them that’ll help your smile recover its pristine look.
The Causes of Yellowing Teeth
Teeth can turn yellow for many reasons. Here are a few that you should consider:
- Smoking: Nicotine is more than just an addictive substance — it’s known to stain teeth too. Specifically, it can get trapped in the pores of your tooth enamel and thus create yellowy-brown marks.
- Enamel Loss: As you age, the enamel in your teeth wears away from chewing and exposure to acids. This erosion process often turns teeth yellow, though it can also make some take on a grayish shade when mixed with leftover food particles.
- Foods & Drinks: Many foods have pigments that cling to tooth enamel and stain this surface. These include pasta sauce, curry spices, berries, and even balsamic vinegar dressing.
- Accidents: In some cases, the impact of an accident can crack enamel and damage a tooth’s interior. As this damager takes hold, it can lead to discoloration from internal bleeding. If your stains are due to an accident, seek professional attention at once.
The Solutions for Yellowing Teeth
Depending on the cause, yellow tooth stains are dealt with using several approaches. You can whiten them at home, whiten them with a dentist, or prevent staining in the first place.
Whiten Your Teeth at Home:
At-home whitening can be both convenient and worthwhile. It often involves using strips, gels, or trays that use hydrogen peroxide to bleach teeth white. However, a dentist should supply the products, as over-the-counter versions have inherent safety risks.
Whiten Your Teeth with a Dentist:
Professional teeth whitening is done at your local dental practice and applies the relevant bleaching agent directly to your teeth. Special lights may also be used to enhance the bleach’s whitening effects. Your dentist may apply a fluoride coating afterward to prevent tooth sensitivity from treatment.
Stain Prevention:
Proper dental hygiene practices will help prevent yellow stains. These include the following:
- Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes.
- Floss at least once daily with dentist-approved floss, ideally after a meal.
- Rinse your mouth with mouthwash to wash away harmful bacteria.
Precisely because they’re so common, yellow teeth have multiple treatment options. Talk to your dentist about ways to get rid of stains that are right for you.
About the Practice
Chisholm Trail Dental Health is based in Round Rock, TX. As led by Dr. Mike Asay, the practice performs customized dental treatments that meet patients’ wants and needs. Their services span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including sedation and emergency dental procedures. The team commits itself to dental excellence to provide the best oral health possible. For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (512)-244-2796.