If you’ve recently visited a cosmetic dentist for professional teeth whitening in Newton, you’ll want to take good care of your newly white teeth to make sure you don’t ever suffer from stained, yellow teeth again. Certain medications, food, beverages, and daily habits can affect the color of your teeth, causing staining and discoloration. Avoid the following if you want to maintain your teeth whitening results.
Acidic or Highly Pigmented Food and Beverages
Foods and beverages that are extremely acidic will wear down the protective enamel on your teeth, making them vulnerable to stains. Soda, coffee, black tea, citrus fruits and juice, and sports drinks are all high in acids. Foods and beverages that contain unnatural dyes or are naturally highly pigmented will contribute to staining and discoloration. This includes sports drinks, fruit juices, Kool-Aid, popsicles, lollipops, hard candy, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. If you want to keep your white teeth, avoid regularly consuming these foods and beverages.
Some Medications and Illnesses
Any illnesses or medications that wear down or damage the enamel on your tooth will increase your risk of developing yellow teeth. Diabetes, oral cancer, anemia, anorexia, bulimia, HIV, AIDS, and leukemia can all affect the health and appearance of your teeth. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can damage your tooth enamel and dentin, and affect the color of your teeth. Two antibiotics, tetracycline and doxycycline, have been proven to discolor teeth, as have antihistamines, antipsychotics, and medications used to treat high blood pressure. If you have an illness or are taking a medication that is known to damage or discolor teeth, ask your cosmetic dentist for advice on avoiding tooth decay and yellow teeth.
Certain Habits and Environmental Influences
Nicotine, whether from chewing tobacco, cigarettes, or nicotine gum, can quickly yellow teeth. Poor dental hygiene also puts you at risk for both tooth decay and yellow teeth. Daily consumption of coffee, soda, tea, or red wine can stain your teeth and cause tooth discoloration. Excessive exposure to fluoride, whether through your water supply, or through dental care products, will gradually discolor teeth.
