3 Simple Tips in Avoiding Yellow Teeth
If you want to have brilliant pearly whites flash every time you crack a smile, it might be helpful to know why they turn yellow in the first place. These are good things to know.
Do You Love to Eat These Any of These Foods?
Just like with skin or clothes, if your teeth get lots of exposure to substances that can discolor them, they will sustain stains. Foods to avoid (or at least brush after eating) include:
- Tobacco
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red & White Wines
- Colas/Dark Sodas
- Berries and Pomegranates
- Citrus, tomatoes, and other acidic foods
If your smile is dulling, think about your diet. Are you overloading on any of these foods? Cutting back, or at least brushing well after eating, may help keep your smile brighter longer.
Clean Your Windows
Brushing can keep your teeth white whether or not you eat an orange everyday for lunch because it protects your enamel. The enamel on your teeth safeguards them from the discoloring particulates that are in the food you eat. They are like windows—shielding the inside of your teeth from the elements on the outside. If you have less-than-impressive dental hygiene, it is like taking the glass (and screens and blinds) out of all the windows. Whatever the wind brings will blow right into your house and dirty everything.
Watch Your Medications (and Your Mouthwash?)
There are a few chemicals that can cause discolored teeth, and some of those chemicals are in some mouthwashes. Read your labels for these chemicals: chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. There are a few medicines that can affect your teeth too, especially for children whose teeth are developing. Those include antihistamines (Benadryl is an example), antipsychotic drugs, and antihypertensive medications (that treat high blood pressure) can also cause teeth discoloration.
Though there is no magic solution, being aware of these facts can help you keep your smile bright! Unfortunately, these kinds of steps won’t make your teeth whiter, only keep them from becoming more yellow. If you think you’d like a treatment, give us a call! You’ll be surprised by how easy (and effective) our special treatments can be.
Call us today (801) 274-7700 or make an appointment!