Tooth stains can be a really embarrassing problem. Stained teeth look bad, heavily hamper your million dollar smile and also reveal to people that you have bad oral hygiene. Tooth stains can be dealt with easily but cannot be worked upon overnight. Here are a few tips.
1. Proper oral hygiene
The main cause of stains are bacterial and fungal growth on your teeth. When no proper mouth cleansing is done after a meal, bacteria and fungi attack the left over bits of food sticking on to your teeth. This leads to stains. Therefore, it is important that you brush your teeth at least two times a day though it is ideal to brush after every meal. A tip: while most people think it is better to brush harder, it is not right to do so as doing this can wear off the enamel or the outer covering of your teeth and expose the layers below. This can lead to severe tooth pain and discomfort when you partake food. Brush for 10 minutes at a time with a soft brush. Using a mouth wash and flossing can also help you maintain a clean mouth and get rid of any stains. Remember that prevention is better than cure. Visit a dentist at least every 6 months.
2. Teeth whitening products
If you have been careless and let your teeth become a victim to stains, a ready made solution available in the market is – teeth whitening products. These will enable you to remove any stains present in the shortest time possible. Different products work in different ways and the best way is to go to a dentist and find out which product would work the best for you. If you are thinking of getting your teeth bleached or whitened at home, read the instructions carefully and follow them strictly, although a dentist’s recommendations for the product are strongly encouraged as marketed products have a tendency to make your teeth brittle.
3. Drink a lot of water
Drink water after every meal. If you already have tooth stains, then brushing after every meal is recommended. Even if you drink an aerated drink, tea, coffee etc follow it up with water. Swirl water in your mouth for a while after anything you eat or drink. This should considerably reduce any chances for stains. You should always brush if you can after every meal.
4. Reduce the intake of aerated drinks and try to use straws
The content in aerated drinks hasten the staining of teeth and the more you drink the worse the problem becomes. Using straws lowers the exposure of the teeth to the drinks as it leads the drink almost directly to the throat. This lessens the chances for stains.
5. Eat crunchy foods like apples and avoid sticky foods
Crunchy foods like apples, carrots, pears, celery etc help to avoid stains. They break down into tiny particles and rub against the previous food leftovers stuck between teeth and remove them. The other advantage is that these foods are healthy. âan apple a day keeps the doctor away!â Avoid eating sticky food like chocolate with caramel. These stick to your teeth and donât go away just that easily, thus becoming a source of stains.
6. Brushing with baking soda
A safe way to remove stains from your teeth, is to brush with baking soda. This is relatively safer and much simpler than the harsh chemicals your teeth has to encounter in teeth whitening products. Get a new can of baking soda and dip your tooth brush into the can after wetting it for a while. This should coat the brush with a full layer of baking soda. Go ahead and brush your teeth with it. If you want to remove the salty taste of baking soda that might linger in your mouth, you can brush again with normal tooth paste.
7. Floss
Flossing regularly will help you get rid of plaque formation which is yet another cause of tooth stains.
8. Veneers, fillings and crowns
If you can interpret the tooth equivalent for a false fingernail, you know what a veneer is. A layer of porcelain is laid over the tooth making them better looking and providing even coloration. Fillings are done on small portions of the tooth which are scraped away and then filled in. Crowns are there to help when the upper enamel has eroded away and needs replacement. These are simple treatment ways. If your problem persists, consult a dentist and your problem is sure to be solved.
