Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, TN
Advances in dental science have made it easier than ever to get a smile full of bright, gleaming teeth worthy of the Hollywood red carpet. We take steps at home to keep our smiles sparkling, such as brushing our teeth in the morning and at night. Teeth whitening procedures also are available, whether they are purchased over the counter or performed by a professional like your local Greeneville cosmetic dentist. However, the biggest factor in influencing whether or not your teeth stay white is what you eat and drink throughout the day. Let’s take a look at how what you consume can stain your teeth, as well as other causes of discoloration. And, if you do want to achieve whiter teeth that last longer, come to Tusculum Dental Care for a professional teeth-whitening procedure.
Cause 1: Food and Drinks
This is the greatest culprit in staining teeth. Any stain caused by something you consume is known clinically as extrinsic discoloration. This occurs when the outer layer of teeth, also known as enamel, becomes stained. These stains can be caused by pigments, acidic content, and other chemical factors—such as the use of tobacco, which have a yellowing effect on the appearance of teeth for those that smoke.
Foods and drinks that can stain teeth include the following:
- Wine
- Coffee
- Soft drinks
- Sports drinks such as Gatorade
- Hard candy
- Dark-skinned berries
- Tomato sauce
Over time, excessive consumption of any of the above will deteriorate your enamel, eventually forming unappealing stains. Try to eat and drink these in moderation, while also drinking plenty of water and brushing your teeth at least twice a day—or, ideally, after every meal.
Cause 2: Intrinsic Staining
Intrinsic tooth discoloration is a phenomenon that takes place when the interior layer of a tooth, known as dentin, starts to turn yellow or darken. This discoloration often occurs as a side effect for patients who used tetracycline as children. Intrinsic discoloration also can occur due to a trauma to the tooth, or an extremely rare genetic condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta, which can lead to the formation of discolorations that are gray, amber, or purple.
Cause 3: Age
Our teeth change color naturally as we age. These color changes occur as tooth enamel thins as you get older, allowing the dentin to become more evident. Using tobacco or frequently eating or drinking some of the substances above will hasten the tooth discoloration that occurs as part of the aging process.
Get Whiter Teeth in Greeneville
Tusculum Dental Care can give you the bright, beautiful smile you always wanted through one of our professional whitening treatments. Able to be administered in our office or at home, these whitening treatments produce better results that last longer, without causing additional tooth sensitivity—a frequently reported side effect of using store-bought whitening kits.
To find out more about our tooth whitening procedures, or other steps you can take to improve the appearance of your teeth, contact the office of Tusculum Dental Care by calling (423) 639-7575 to schedule a consultation.
Tusculum Dental Care offers comprehensive oral health care services to patients in the areas of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin in Tennessee.