Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Are These Three Terrible Habits Turning Your Smile Yellow?

27 February 2015

Duane Kelly

If you brush and floss your teeth every day, you might expect your teeth to be beautifully white. However, the things you put into your mouth on a daily basis could cause your teeth to turn yellow over time, even if you have a good dental hygiene routine. If you commit any of the following three tooth-staining sins, then breaking your current habits could be your ticket to a whiter smile.

1. Is Smoking Ruining Your Smile?

If you smoke, then you will have a difficult struggle on your hands to try to keep your teeth white. Even if you have your teeth professionally whitened, they will gradually regain their yellow stains if you continue to smoke. Kicking the habit, or at least cutting down the number of cigarettes that you smoke, is one of the best ways to address the problem of yellow teeth.

2. Too Many Tannins?

Certain beverages can have a very negative impact on the colour of your teeth. The three biggest culprits are black tea, coffee and red wine, which contain high levels of chemicals known as tannins. Tannins provide the rich flavour of these popular drinks. The bad news is that tannins can also leave yellow or brownish stains on your teeth.

You don't have to give up tasty treats entirely to whiten your teeth. If you are a coffee or tea drinkers, you can dampen down the staining power of your favourite caffeine fix by adding a splash of milk. Meanwhile, white wine is a good alternative to red wine, as it contains fewer tannins that could stain your teeth.

3. Do You Need to Cut Down on Carbonated Drinks?

Consuming a lot of carbonated drinks such as cola can also cause teeth to appear yellow. The acids in these soft drinks erode the protective enamel that covers teeth, allowing the underlying dentin to show through. Cutting down on these drinks is important to prevent enamel erosion and keep your teeth healthy and white.

Teeth Whitening Solutions

If you already have stained teeth, don't despair. Your dentist can advise you about how to improve the colour of your teeth, whether the discolouration is caused by staining or by thin enamel. For many people, a simple cosmetic whitening procedure can remove stains and dramatically improve the colour of their teeth. The Australian Dental Association recommends that you speak to a qualified dentist to find out whether professional tooth whitening is a suitable treatment option for you.

For more information, check out companies such as Creative Dentistry.

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