A smile, they say, can brighten up your day. But the simple act of smiling can be embarrassing if you have stained or discolored teeth.
Though not as painful as a toothache, tooth discoloration has its own "painful" moments nevertheless. In a society that values a perfect smile, having discolored teeth can drain your confidence and prevent you from mingling with other people.
Worse, it can lessen your chances of getting a job or being promoted - if your employer gets distracted by your dark-colored teeth!
How do you solve this problem? What are your options? Before we answer those questions, let's examine the common causes of tooth discoloration.
If you love soft drinks, you're in trouble. These sugary treats can stain your teeth and make them less attractive. The same goes with coffee, tea and wine.
"Tobacco, coffee, tea, red wine, colas and orange soda all contain dark compounds that can be absorbed by the enamel on teeth over time. You can have your teeth whitened if you use these products. But the stains may return within a month or so. Consider cutting back your consumption, or quitting. Also, brush your teeth after drinking these beverages or smoking," according to WebMD and the Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry.
Teeth can also be stained by certain fruits and vegetables. The usual suspects are blueberries, purple grapes, apples and potatoes. Other offenders include chocolate and cheese.
Smoking or chewing tobacco may help you relax but this bad habit can likewise stain your teeth. So will treatments like chemotherapy and head and neck radiation. It may be wise to check your medicines too for they could be responsible for your discolored teeth.
"The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs and antihypertensive medications also cause teeth discoloration," said WebMD.
While the benefits of fluoride in preventing tooth decay are well known, too much fluoride from drinking water, rinses, toothpaste and fluoride supplements can stain your teeth. Your dentist may also be at fault since some dental materials such as amalgam restoration can give your teeth a gray-black color.
A bad fall can affect the color of your teeth so think twice before your next bungee jump! Finally, check your age. As you grow older, the outer layer of your teeth is worn out, giving it a yellowish color.
Now that you know why you have discolored teeth, what can you do about it? Do whitening toothpastes help? What about over-the-counter strips or gels that supposedly lighten teeth? Do they work? Find out in the next part of this series. (Next: Which whitening system is best for you?)
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Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com
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