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A person's smile is perhaps one of the first things people notice. But unfortunately, many choose to hide their smiles due to the yellowing of their teeth. To bring back your smile and confidence, here are some tips for maintaining pearly white teeth.
Avoid Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea are full of several compounds, one of which is known as tannic acid. By drinking coffee and tea, you may not be doing damage to your teeth immediately, but the tannic acid will stay in your mouth and cause damage over a period of time.
The tannic acid is a natural dark brown, almost black, pigment. This is why the liquid of coffee and tea, when swished in your mouth, will leave a dark brown to black residue on your teeth and tongue. When the tannic acid is present in the mouth for an extended amount of time, it will damage the enamel of your teeth.
To keep your teeth from yellowing from coffee and tea, avoid drinking them altogether. Or, at the very least, drink coffee and tea sparingly.
Brush and Floss Before Bed
One of the biggest reasons teeth are yellow is because of the buildup of bacteria. When you sleep, your saliva production decreases, which means your mouth is more prone to decay and damage.
So to keep your teeth from yellowing at night, make sure you brush and floss before bed. This will remove any buildup of bacteria that has occurred that day, and it will also help with the long-term prevention of tooth decay and tooth loss.
Avoid Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
If you smoke or chew tobacco, you are greatly increasing your risk of developing gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and tooth decay. This is because both tobacco products reduce the amount of saliva production which is needed to cleanse the mouth.
It is suggested that if you smoke or chew tobacco, you quit immediately to avoid further damage to your teeth.
Limit Acids
If you drink more than a few sodas per week, in addition to other acidic drinks and foods, this can put a strain on your teeth. The more acidic a liquid is, the quicker your teeth will begin to yellow.
To keep your teeth from yellowing, limit your intake of sugary, acidic drinks and foods. If you choose to drink soda, try to drink diet soda and water if you are going to drink regular soda. Also, try to make sure that you are brushing and flossing your teeth after each meal.
Make Time for Regular Dental Visits
Brushing and flossing on a daily basis will help to keep your teeth pearly white. But if proper oral care is not given, then you may end up losing teeth to decay and gum disease.
To keep your teeth from yellowing and help prevent further damage, make sure you make time to see your dentist twice a year. The dentist will be able to tell if you have any cavities that need filling, and they will also be able to determine if you have any gum disease and prescribe treatment if needed.
Final Thought
To keep your teeth from yellowing, avoid coffee and tea, smoking and chewing tobacco, as well as other acidic drinks and foods. Additionally, to ensure you keep your teeth for a lifetime, you should make time for regular dental visits.
Maintain those pearly whites with the help of Dental House MI. We are a local dentist in Waterford that provides a wide range of dental services. Whether you have discolored teeth and just need some whitening or would like to learn more about dental veneers, our dentistry procedures help make healthy smiles that help you feel great. Make an appointment now!
