Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments, with good reason. Yellow teeth are readily caused by common foods, beverages, and other factors. There are some steps you can take to minimize tooth discoloration. However, for brilliantly white teeth, you’ll need to visit a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening in Newton.
Foods and Beverages
Certain foods and beverages are highly pigmented and can easily discolor your pearly whites. These include beverages such as coffee, red wine, cola, and tea – especially green and black tea. Blueberries, blackberries, pomegranates are other common culprits of tooth discoloration .
Tobacco
If you currently use tobacco, you may wish to reconsider after receiving a treatment for whitening teeth at a cosmetic dentistry office. Smoking and chewing tobacco can rapidly lead to brown or yellow teeth, in addition to increasing your risk of gum disease and oral cancer.
Medications
Certain drugs may result in tooth discoloration. These include antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline when given to children younger than eight years of age. Blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, and antipsychotics are other medications that may stain the teeth. However, if your doctor has prescribed a medication, it’s important to continue taking it as prescribed unless your doctor instructs you to discontinue it.
Dental Materials
Although it may seem counterintuitive, certain dental treatments can result in unsightly teeth. Traditional metal fillings, which are used to treat cavities, can cause the teeth to appear grayish. These days, cosmetic dentists prefer to use fillings made of composite resin to preserve the beauty of patients’ smiles. If you need to have cavities treated, be sure to visit a cosmetic dentistry office that offers tooth-colored fillings.
Diseases
Your teeth are covered by a very hard substance known as enamel. The enamel protects the teeth from germs and the forces exerted by chewing. Dentin is the substance underneath the enamel. Certain diseases can affect these two substances and lead to tooth discoloration. These include maternal infections, which can affect the development of the enamel in a fetus. Cancer can also indirectly lead to tooth discoloration, since chemotherapy and radiation therapy may adversely affect the appearance of the teeth.