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Common Causes Of Tooth Discolouration

The Most Common Causes Of Tooth Discolouration

It is easy to get tooth discoloration with the diet and lifestyle of today. Yellow or discoloured teeth are not liked by anyone. The darkening of otherwise white teeth can be caused by consuming too many stain-causing beverages and foods. Smoking and drinking too much red wine, tea or coffee can also have the same effect. Our choice of foods and drinks can have a significant impact on the colour of our pearlies. However, there are other factors that also contribute to this. Once your teeth are stained and yellow, there are many options to restore them back to being nice and what. Veneers are a great option but the in chair teeth whitening also restores your smile. Let’s look at the most common causes of tooth discolouration.

Tobacco/Chromogenic Foods/ Drinks

The consumption of tobacco and foods and beverages containing chromogenic dyes are major contributors. Red wine, coffee and cola drinks are examples. Smoking tobacco products can have a cumulative impact, so the degree of yellowing depends on the amount of smoke you consume.

Smoking tobacco products can have a cumulative impact, so the degree of discoloration of your teeth is largely dependent on how much you smoke.

Poor oral hygieneCommon Causes Of Tooth Discolouration

It is often recommended that we brush our teeth in order to remove food particles and plaque stuck between teeth and gums. It is important to stress that brushing and flossing regularly will help reduce the chances of staining. Brushing immediately after drinking stain causing beverages can reduce the chance that the stain causing substances will adhere to the tooth enamel for long enough to cause cumulative staining. Regular professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist will not only remove yellow plaque but also staining.

Medications

While certain antibiotics such as Tetracycline and Amoxicillin are safe to use in pregnant women, they can stain the teeth of an unborn child. Children who use these medications frequently can also develop deep stains. Ironically, mouthwashes containing chlorohexidine, cetylpyridinium and antihistamines have also been named as the culprits of teeth discolouration.

While certain antibiotics such as Tetracycline and Amoxicillin are safe to use by pregnant women, they can stain the teeth of an unborn child. They also cause stains in young children.

Medical Treatments

Radiation treatments, such as head and neck radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can also cause a tan. These treatments can cause the enamel to weaken to the point that dark foods or drinks are more likely to stain the teeth.

Age

When you are a healthy child you get away with more but as you age, the enamel on the teeth will become thinner, and more translucent as we age. This will reveal the yellowish color of the dentine underneath. Years of eating and drinking can also wear away the enamel on our teeth. Yellowed teeth can make a person appear older than they really are.

Years of grinding our teeth and chewing can strip away the outer layer, can reveal the yellowish dentine underneath.

5 reasons veneers are the makeover you’ve been waiting for.

Are you ashamed of smiling during events or in photos? Don’t be too hard on yourself. The problem may be your teeth. If you want to cover up embarrassing dental problems like discoloured, chipped, misshapen, or unevenly shaped teeth, a dental veneer is the most suitable choice for you. Dental veneer has several benefits, which explains why it is one of the most popular cosmetic industry procedures. 

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers, also known as dental porcelain veneers or porcelain veneers, are a layer of tooth-like material placed over the teeth. It is a custom-made shell of tooth-coloured material placed on your tooth to give you a better look. These shells are bonded to the front teeth changing their shape, colour, size, or length to suit your needs.

5 reasons veneers are good for the Teeth

How Veneers work

Veneers are made of either resin or porcelain material. They are shaped and colored to camouflage the appearance of natural teeth.  The teeth are prepared by shaping a little bit of the enamel; afterward, the custom-shaped veneer is permanently bonded with the teeth.

Bear in mind that modern veneer is very different from the ones manufactured years ago. When the first set of veneers were created, it was vital to closely shave down the teeth to create space for dental veneers. Today, veneers are designed to be as thin as contact lenses; hence, very minimal or sometimes no tooth preparation is needed. This means that the procedure is now less invasive and may not even require an anesthetic yet still gives you that beautiful smile you seek.

To correct a single tooth flaw, veneers are bonded to just one tooth; however, it needs to be placed on all the front teeth to create a total smile makeover.

If you are considering veneers, below are reasons why it is an excellent choice for your teeth.

Veneers cosmetically repair teeth without stress.

Veneers are designed with thin pieces of medical-grade porcelain and are cemented to the front teeth for a more appealing smile. They are custom-made, tooth-colored, and can reflect light in the same manner as natural teeth. Veneers don’t stain easily and are an excellent choice for individuals seeking a perfect appearance. If you need to solve the cosmetic problems of your teeth, a porcelain veneer is the best choice for you.

Dental Veneers give you a natural look.

Although you need to attend several appointments to get this type of dental restoration done for you, the result is worth the effort. During the first appointment, the dentist examines your teeth and sends specifications to the lab where your veneer will be produced. The lab takes ample time to create the veneer according to the dentist’s descriptions (such as the contour of your natural teeth and the color of your enamel).

Once the lab produces the veneer, it’s finally time for the dentist to place them in your mouth. He will carefully sculpt each veneer on your teeth so they can create a natural-looking smile. Also, the design is made such that it fit your facial symmetry and overall style. After placing the veneer in your mouth, your smile will look and feel natural to you and others.

Veneers are suitable for treating enamel loss

Although the enamel on your teeth is very strong, it can still be worn-off during over-ambitious tooth-brushing, when exposed to highly acidic foods, or acid reflux disease (where stomach acids get into the mouth). Once the enamel is worn away, it won’t grow back. Veneers provide a durable yet cosmetically pleasing way to replace the removed enamel.

Easy to maintain

Caring for your dental veneer is easy. It is the same process as maintaining your regular teeth. All you need to do is brush twice daily and floss at least once a day. Also, you need to attend regular checkups with your dental clinic to maintain the natural white and shine of your teeth.  

Veneers are durable and permanent.

Porcelain veneers are permanent and can resist stains and decay better than real teeth. This is possible because they are non-porous while natural teeth are porous. With adequate care, a dental veneer can last for as long as 10 – 15 years.