A healthy white smile is something that we all aspire to in our life but often we do very little to achieve that. Almost everyone at some point in their life experiences teeth stains and gradually starts losing the bright white color of their teeth. Although there are medical procedures for whitening our teeth it is important to keep our oral health in check. To prolong the bright color of our teeth we must follow a healthy lifestyle which is the root cause of developing teeth stains and eventually losing the bright white color we all love.

In most cases, losing the bright color of our teeth is down to our poor lifestyle and food habits. Other than that, some medical causes can also be responsible for having darker and dull teeth. So, what causes teeth stains, and how to prevent them? Let’s have a look

Drinks and Foods

Beverages like tea, coffee, colored soda, wine, and some energy drinks cause discoloration of our teeth. There are a lot of starchy food items, like potatoes, that also cause discoloration over time.

To avoid this problem is to simply cut down on drinking too many caffeine drinks and if you can’t do that make sure to wash your mouth properly after every such drink. To get back the natural bright color of your teeth, it is better to start using toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain fluoride.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral or dental hygiene can also lead to discoloration of our teeth. Not brushing twice every day or washing our mouth properly after having a meal can turn our teeth brownish. You can also notice brown patches surfacing on the enamel and the gaps between the teeth becoming darker in shade. 

This happens due to plaque buildup. Not brushing or flossing will cause plaque buildup and eventually the growth of bacteria in our mouth. Brushing twice every day is extremely important. Make sure you cover all the outer surfaces of your teeth including those hard-to-reach areas at the back of your teeth. Use fluoride-based toothpaste for better results. 

After you have a meal or a snack, wash your mouth properly, even if it is just with water. Floss every night, especially if you have fibrous or sticky food which can get stuck between your teeth and is not easy to rinse off. 

Medical Conditions

There can be some medical conditions that may cause discoloration of your teeth, especially if it is becoming yellowish. Often the enamel doesn’t grow as much as it should be due to some medical conditions which expose the core (dentin). The core is yellowish in color and as it gets exposed, we see yellowish teeth. 

Regular dental checkups can prevent this from happening. In some cases, an early diagnosis can stop such issues from happening in the first place. 

Excessive Exposure To Fluoride

Now, this is a weird situation as well. Fluoride is helpful when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and bright. However, too much of anything can be problematic, and in this case, it is no different. If you are exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride for a long time from the environment (drinking water) or any dental products (toothpaste, mouthwash, etc) you are in danger of having discolored or patchy teeth. 

Excessive fluoride can damage the enamel and cause fluorosis which creates white patches on your teeth. Make sure you are not overusing your fluoride toothpaste or mouthwashes and have pure drinking water. 

If you already have yellowish teeth, you can opt for professional teeth whitening procedures. There are also many teeth whitening products available in stores that your dentist can prescribe to you.