This is the place to be if you’re worried about stains on your teeth.
Here we will discuss why teeth stain, what you can do to prevent it and how the experienced team at Bald Hills Dental can help.
What Causes Teeth to Stain
There are several reasons your teeth may stain or turn yellow. In this section, we’ll go through some of the most common of these.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of stains to your teeth. You may be able to improve your oral hygiene simply by paying more attention to your routine. For instance, if you only brush your teeth once a day, increase it to twice a day (which is what our dentists recommend anyway).
You may also look at introducing a whitening mouthwash to help remove particularly stubborn stains.
Decay
Discolouration or stains can also be a sign of decay or cavities. When left untreated, they can become severe and cause other issues.
Lack of Water
Sometimes the cause of stains is as simple as not drinking enough water. Up your intake of water and seek professional assistance from your dentist for more tips on how to manage stains.
Age
Age is another factor that comes into consideration when managing stains on your teeth. When you’re younger and maintain a good oral hygiene routine, your teeth are likely to be white. They may start to discolour slightly as you age and may even turn grey if you experience leaching from fillings.
The best way to address this is by speaking to your dentist about a suitable treatment.
Irregular Check Ups
You may think that you do a good job of maintaining your oral health but it doesn’t mean you can neglect regular check ups. Professional cleans are a great way to maintain your oral health and will reduce staining.
Discover more about how often you should visit your dentist by reading this article.
Eating Sugary Foods
Consuming sugary foods is one way you can cause stains on your teeth. If this is the cause of your teeth staining, you may want to cut this out of your diet. However, if that’s not possible, we recommend using a straw when drinking sugary liquids.
Smoking
Smoking or chewing tobacco is a common cause of stains on teeth. Teeth may also become stained when using vapes.
Trauma
Have you fallen over and chipped a tooth? It’s not uncommon for teeth that have been damaged or chipped to become stained more easily.
Medications
There are some medications that may cause your teeth to stain. If you are on medication long-term – or taking a variety of prescribed medication long-term – staining is something your dentist can help you combat.
Weak or Incomplete Enamel
Known as enamel hypoplasia, weak or incomplete enamel means your teeth have lost their protective layer. This makes them more vulnerable to stains.
Fluorosis
Fluorosis is most prevalent in children, as this is when the teeth are still developing. It does not occur in adults once the teeth are fully developed.
Fluorosis softens the enamel and can cause stains or discolouration. As it is something that will not go away by itself, it is best treated through professional teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding or enamel microabrasion.
Not Swallowing Properly
Do you eat too fast? If you tend to “inhale” your food instead of taking the time to chew and swallow, it could result in increased staining on your teeth.
Fluoride
Lack of fluoride (or even too much fluoride) can be a common cause of staining. These days, most households in Australia have access to fluoridated water, but this is something to consider if that’s not the case for you.
How Bald Hills Dental Can Help
At Bald Hills Dental, we specialise in a range of general dentistry and orthodontic services, and can advise you on improving your oral health and preventing stains.
We’re committed to making our patients feel as comfortable as possible during their dental check ups or procedures and take extra care with children or those who find themselves anxious with the process.
To discuss which treatments are best to fix your stained teeth, make an appointment with one of our dentists at Bald Hills Dental today.
