What is teeth discolouration ?
This is when your teeth appear off-white.They may look browny,yellowish,gray or just not completely white. This usually affects your confidence due to having unattractive smile.
How does the teeth discolouration occur?
There are various reasons for the change of teeth shade but we can narrow them down to three main groupes:
1/ Extrinsic factors
These are outside the human body and include certain foods and drinks such as tea,coffee,curry,red wine. Tobacco use and intake of some medication(Tetracyclin) are also possible to inflict tooth color change. Inadequate oral hygiene and plaque accumulation may result in teeth looking yellow.
2/Intrinsic factors
They are within the human body .Some of them are excessive intake of fluoride(dental fluorosis) in early childhood, trauma to the teeth with nerve injury,mother taking antibiotic(Tetracyclin) during pregnancy.
Other causes belonging to that group are genetic predisposition and medical conditions.Some to mention are calcium deficiency,liver disease and eating disorders.
3/ Process of aging
Teeth look naturally darker as the age increases due to enamel going thinner. This exposes the underlying dentin that gives the teeth yellowish appearance.
What can I do to avoid teeth discolouration?
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. Not only is this critical for teeth and gums health but also preserve white color of teeth . Seeing your dentist or dental hygienist at least twice a year will help you keep this problem at bay.
Limit the intake of tea,coffee,red wine,cola or curry. Make sure you rinse your mouth with water plentifully after you have consumed those.
Stick to a healthy lifestyle. Include a lot of green leafy vegetables, cheese,nuts and fiber-rich foods in your daily diet.
How do I get rid of teeth discolouration?
The approach will depend of the cause.
If the change of color is down to poor oral hygiene you should schedule an appointment for scale and polish.
If there is an exposure of dentine due to aging or teeth look discolored because of fluorisis then whitening or veneers could be the best solution.
Should you have concerns related to teeth discolouration do not hesitate to contact us for further advice.