Cosmetic dentists specialise in performing a range of different dental procedures that are primarily geared towards improving the smile and facial appearance of the patient. Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dentistry procedures and it is usually conducted on patients that have discoloured or stained teeth. The procedure can be professionally carried out at the dental office or at home using teeth whitening kits recommended by a dentist. But why do most patients require teeth whitening in the first place?
Read through the following points to learn about some common culprits behind discoloured or stained teeth.
Poor oral hygiene
To keep teeth clean and white, individuals need to brush and floss their teeth as recommended by their dentists. Unfortunately, not all people know how to take care of their teeth. They fail to brush and floss as regularly as required, fail to brush and floss effectively, or both. This results in a buildup of plague and tartar on the teeth and in between the teeth, which causes the teeth to yellow or lose their original colour. Thus, the inability to maintain good oral hygiene is one of the top causes of teeth discolouration.
Aging
Aging is a natural process that manifests itself in so many different ways. It can lead to the sagging of the skin, memory lapses, deteriorating vision, and yes, discolouration of teeth! As people grow older, the enamel (exterior hard tissue that covers the teeth) tends to become eroded, exposing the dentin (the darker, bony tissue found beneath the enamel). This can cause teeth to look grey or yellow instead of white. A cosmetic dentist can help alleviate the effects of the aging process by whitening the discoloured teeth.
Dental disease
Sometimes, dental disease makes the enamel and dentin vulnerable to discolouration. Usually, the disease causes white teeth to yellow or develop grey or brown stains even before old age sets in. Often, the disease is caused by poor oral hygiene or various dental deformities, such as congenitally missing teeth and grinding teeth.
Poor diet
Some foods and beverages put people at risk of having discoloured teeth. Tea and coffee are major culprits. Other culprits include carbonated soda, red and white wine, blackberries and blackberries, hard candies, tomato sauce, et cetera, et cetera. Discussing your normal diet with your dentist can help identify what foods and drinks you should avoid and which ones you can take instead. If you must consume any of the foods and drinks that you have been asked to stay away from, try to minimise the quantities you take in and be sure to maintain proper oral hygiene.
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