When you don’t practice the proper dental care, then you’ll find stains decorating your teeth along with other oral problems. Stains appear on your teeth mainly because substances from foods and drinks stick to the plaque or tartar that has settled on the surface of the tooth or may have penetrated into the tooth’s enamel. For those who smoke, chemicals and other substances found in cigarettes may cause the staining of your teeth. In addition, tooth enamel loses its thickness when a person gets older, resulting in the exposure of the yellowish dentin inside the tooth.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS THAT MAY HELP IN CONTROLLING THE RATE OF STAINING ON YOUR TEETH.
REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF FOODS AND DRINKS THAT CAUSE STAINING.
There are so many foods and drinks that contribute to the rapid staining of your teeth. One way to prevent or control the staining on your teeth is to reduce the consumption of these products or by completely eliminate them from your diet. Examples of these foods are candies, sweetened foods, and berries. For the beverages, there are quite a lot that may cause staining especially if they are very acidic. Aside from the common carbonated drinks, wine, tea, and sports drinks are known to stain the teeth. Sauces such as tomato sauce, soy sauce, and curry sauce are also known to cause the staining of teeth.
USE STRAWS FOR YOUR DRINKS.
One way to keep your teeth from staining when drinking is to use a straw. By doing this, your front teeth are spared from contact with stain-causing beverages. This is a very effective way to prevent stains while drinking sodas, juices, and iced tea.
SWALLOW QUICKLY STAIN-CAUSING FOOD AND DRINKS.
This does not mean you should not chew your food properly. It means that foods or drinks should not linger in your mouth for longer periods. A lot of people have this tendency to keep the food in the mouth longer than is necessary. This also applies to drinks but does not mean you have to gulp down the beverage. It is important to chew your food and sip the beverage slowly, otherwise, there will be a risk of chocking.
RINSE, BRUSH AFTER EATING
Ideally, you should brush your teeth after consuming foods and drinks known to cause stains on the teeth. However, since you may not have a toothbrush at hand and because it might not be a good idea to brush so frequently, the next best thing to do is to rinse your mouth. This should be done immediately since the acid in the foods and drinks are at its worst within 30 minutes after consumption. Another alternative suggestion by dentists is to chew sugarless gum after consuming these foods and drinks.
IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR DENTAL VISITS
Make sure to come visit our dentist regularly to ensure your dental care is up to par, not only for preventing stains, but to make sure your oral health is in tip-top shape. You may require the services of your dentist to get rid of those difficult to remove stains and we can offer suggestions on how to control the staining of your teeth. Contact us at (519) 305-9100 to book your appointment today!