Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Denver, CO

Your Denver dentist can prove integral to helping you avoid the painful and potentially permanent complications of tooth decay and gum disease. If she offers cosmetic dentistry services, though, she can also play a key role in helping you achieve the dazzling smile you want. Especially when tooth discoloration is a problem, treatment solutions such as teeth whitening and dental veneers can quickly eliminate the problem of noticeable tooth stains. To protect your teeth from discoloration, you also may want to consider your everyday lifestyle habits.

Smoking
Tobacco usage can quickly compromise the look of your smile. Even if you consider yourself only a casual smoker, the deposits that tobacco leaves on your teeth can rapidly dull them to an unsightly gray or brown. Chewing tobacco can have the same negative effect on your smile. To prevent teeth stains both before and after you receive teeth whitening or dental veneers, stop smoking entirely. If you find it difficult to stop, ask your dentist if she knows of any cessation programs in your area.

Dark-Colored Beverages
Smoking isn’t the only habit that can result in tooth discoloration. If you normally wake up with a cup of coffee or black tea, you could be facilitating the development of stains. Any dark beverage, including cola, grape juice, cranberry juice, and red wine, can leave behind deposits that eventually fade the brightness of your smile. While eliminating these drinks from your daily life may not be the optimal option, teeth whitening treatment can remove the stains that they produce.

Plaque Buildup
You don’t smoke and you don’t normally drink dark-colored beverages, however you still suffer from teeth stains. If you don’t have the bright smile you want, you may need to evaluate your oral hygiene routine. Plaque buildup can begin just minutes after you finish a meal, and without a consistent brushing and flossing routine, this sticky substance can make your teeth turn an unattractive yellow. By making a commitment to brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, as well as seeing the dentist twice each year, you can reduce the risk of plaque buildup and its cosmetic side effects.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration by Colorado Advanced Dentistry