How To Get Rid Of Tooth Stains?
Pearly whites gone dingy are one of the most common complaints dentists hear from their patients. But what causes stained teeth?
Tobacco -- whether it's smoked or chewed -- is one of the worst offenders. Coffee, tea, and colas are culprits as well. Other possible causes include fruit juices (especially grape), fruits such as blueberries, soy sauce, and curry. Think of it this way: If a food or beverage can leave permanent stains on clothes or carpets, it can probably taint your teeth.
Aging also contributes to the yellowing of teeth. The enamel, which is the hard outer coating of your teet, wears thin, allowing the underlying layer of yellowish dentin to show through.
And some stains are what's called intrinsic. That is, they actually occur on the inside of the tooth. For example, children who take the antibiotic tetracycline (or whose mothers took it during pregnancy) often have such stains. Silver-colored fillings can sometimes leach out and stain the surrounding tooth.
Some folks simply go ahead and take matters into their own hands, risking damage to their teeth and gums in the process. Before you can safely take action, however, you have to understand what kinds of stains are dulling your teeth. And you need to be realistic, too, in what you seek: Even the healthiest, most perfectly maintained teeth are not pure white.
Only your dentist can correct intrinsic stains, through the use of such cosmetic procedures as composite resin bonding and porcelain laminate veneers (which essentially cover the offending colored area with opaque material). Stains from food and drink can often be removed with a professional dental cleaning. A more expensive and time-consuming option is in-office bleaching.
Once you've had the stains removed, follow the home remedies below to keep them from occurring in the future.
Good Oral Hygiene
Teeth stains don't happen overnight. They're usually the result of years of exposing your teeth to different things that cause stains. The easiest solution would be to brush your teeth right after eating, or at least three times a day, for around ten minutes for each brushing. Regular flossing and using mouthwash all help make your mouth area not just cleaner, but stain-free. You should also visit your dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning once every six months.
Just a word of caution: While it may sound like a good idea to brush your teeth very hard, don't! Brushing your teeth too hard may strip the enamel off your teeth and expose the darker dentin layer underneath. Keep your soft-bristle toothbrushes, and brush your teeth gently but thoroughly!
Drink Water
Drinking water right after you drink coffee, tea, soda or any flavored drink should also help prevent you from getting tooth stains. While ideally brushing your teeth should come right after you drink any of these, truthfully that's not what most people would do. So what you should do is swirl some water inside your mouth for a minute after drinking coffee or any of the mentioned drinks, to prevent them from building up on your teeth and causing stains. Chewing sugarless gum is also said to have the same effect as water. Chew the gum right after drinking your coffee or tea.
Eat Crunchy Food
Crunchy food like apples, carrots, pears and celery break down into smaller pieces and rub against your teeth, which will then help dislodge tiny pieces of food left between your teeth that can cause cavities and stains. Another bonus? They're healthy and good for you!
Try fruits with tooth whitening abilities
Certain fruits have the ability to whiten tooth naturally and they act as excellent and simple tooth whiteners or bleachers like strawberries that contain natural whitening agents and is one of the popular home remedies for tooth whitening and bleaching.
· Rub strawberry onto your teeth or make a paste out of strawberry. It is necessary to brush your teeth immediately with toothpaste after rubbing strawberry, because it contains acids and sugars that can be harmful to your teeth.
· Bay Leaves and Orange Peel; the mixture of bay leaves and orange peel is also one of the tooth whitening at-home methods. Dry the orange peel and powder the bay leaves properly. Apply this mixture on your teeth, to make them whiter.
· A few vegetables like cucumbers, broccoli, celery and carrots are also natural simple tooth whiteners. You can get rid of teeth stains by eating these vegetables.
Stop Smoking
Tobacco, or smoking, is one of the leading causes the worst kind of extrinsic tooth stains. They cause dark brown or black stains, which are a result of coal tar combustion in the tobacco, and the penetration of tobacco juices and pigments into your teeth and gums. Anyone can point out a long time smoker just by the discoloration of his or her gums and teeth. Think of it this way-getting rid of tooth stains are just one of the many good reasons why you should stop smoking for good.
Teeth Whitening Products
Teeth whitening products are often the surefire way and the quickest way to get rid of extrinsic tooth stains. While many toothpastes and other tooth products swear to their product to yield results, it's often best to go to your dentist first and ask what would work best for you. Real teeth whitening products (and not just products with teeth whitening factors) usually require your teeth to soak in the teeth whitening product overnight or for a few hours. Teeth whitening products can also cause your teeth to become brittle, so if you're planning to use those home teeth whitening kits, think very carefully. The same goes for teeth whitening strips and peroxide solutions.
Baking Soda
One way to have a natural teeth whitening method without resorting to chemicals is by using baking soda. Baking soda won't wear away your tooth's enamel, making it safer to use. Before using toothpaste, dip your toothbrush into water and get a fresh box or can of baking soda. Dip the surface of the toothbrush into the baking soda, making sure that the whole surface is covered in the white powder. Then brush your teeth! It's that easy. The smaller particles will gently rub away the stain-causing particles, and you can proceed to your normal brushing afterwards to help get rid of
Use a Straw
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Even if you may feel a little silly using them, using straws when drinking your coffee or tea is an effective way to prevent tooth stains. This is because using straws helps the liquid bypass your teeth and go straight down your throat. The less contact your colored drinks have with your teeth, the lesser problems you have with stains.
When it comes to getting rid of tooth stains and keeping them stain-free, it all boils down to our daily habits and hygiene. Remember, prevention can be the best cure.
Source:
health.howstuffworks.com
howtogetridofstuff.com
wikihow.com
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