7 Tips on How to Prevent and Reduce Tooth Discoloration

Coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, smoking, acidic juices, certain drugs, and highly pigmented foods can all cause pearly whites to become discolored. Antibiotics, changes in individual metabolism, and even a high fever can also discolor teeth. The more yellow your teeth stains, the easier they will be to erase. Deep dark stains, such as those caused by the drug tetracycline during childhood when teeth are developing, can be extremely difficult to remove.

The good news is that many common tooth stains, such as those caused by coffee and cigarettes, may easily be removed between professional cleanings. Here is a list of seven tips on how to prevent and reduce tooth discoloration.

1. Drink enough water
Plain water is one of the simplest and most widely available ways for having whiter teeth, and it is as good for your body as it is for your teeth. It helps in the maintenance of appropriate hydration, which is required for saliva production. Your saliva, coupled with the liquids you consume, helps in the removal of food particles as well as the remaining sugars and acids that destroy your tooth enamel.

2. Consider using an electric toothbrush
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, reluctant brushers benefit from the electric version and will brush their teeth more frequently than if they just used a manual toothbrush. However, when it comes to plaque removal, the quality of your brushing is more important than the type of toothbrush you use.

3. Use a whitening toothpaste
Because over-the-counter whitening treatments include coarse abrasives that may destroy tooth enamel, dentists used to recommend patients avoid using them. However, manufacturers have improved their use of peroxide instead of abrasives to provide a somewhat brighter after-brushing effect.

However, don't expect miracles. Since peroxides in toothpaste or polish only stay on the tooth surface for a short period of time, they provide only a little whitening that doesn't last long. That's because even after you've whitened your teeth, you'll most likely continue to consume the same beverages that discolored them.

4. Undergo teeth whitening procedure
Professional whitening is done in a dental office by a top-rated dentist who uses specialized whitening agents and treatments to enhance the whitening process. They will use a solution of hydrogen peroxide. Some products require heat and a special light to speed up the bleaching process. Other dental goods will have a greater concentration of whitener that will be used in conjunction with a desensitizer and certain custom trays to improve whitener adhesion.

5. Schedule regular teeth cleanings
You might not even be aware that you have naturally white teeth because of all the plaque on them. Plaque is a substance that accumulates on your teeth while you eat, drink, and go about your daily activities. It's a bacterium film that forms and may be removed with frequent brushing and flossing.

It can cause tooth decay, discoloration, gum disease, and increased tartar buildup if it accumulates over a prolonged period of time or if you don't brush properly. When your hygienist uses the scraping tool during cleanings, they remove plaque and tartar from the fissures of your teeth.

6. Drink cocoa
Even though most people don't consider cocoa to be a healthy beverage, dark chocolate can help in the reduction of inflammation in the body. It also helps prevent tooth decay and enamel erosion. Milk chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate with a high sugar content do not provide protection. After drinking the chocolate, rinse with plain water.

7. Quit smoking
Tobacco will darken your teeth whether you smoke it or chew it. There are also medical issues to consider. Smoking can increase your risk of tartar accumulation, gum disease, and oral cancer. Your doctor can help you stop smoking.