Candy isn't the only culprit when it comes to added sugar. Sodas can have up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving. To add insult to injury, sodas also contain phosphoric and citric acids, which eat away at tooth enamel. Diet soft drinks let you skip the sugar, but they may have even more acid in the form of the artificial sweeteners.
How Can I Prevent Teeth Discoloration?
By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to prevent teeth discoloration. For example, if you are a coffee drinker and/or smoker, consider cutting back or quitting all together. Also, improve your dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist every 6 months.
If your teeth appear to be an abnormal color without ready explanation and, if other symptoms are also present, make an appointment to see your dentist.
What Treatment Options Are Available to Whiten Teeth?
Treatment options to whiten teeth can vary depending on the cause of the discoloration and may include.
Using proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques
Avoidance of the foods and beverages that cause stains
Bondings
Veneers
Using over-the-counter whitening agents
In-home whitening agents purchased from your dentist
In-office whitening procedures
There are several causes of tooth discoloration, including:
Foods/drinks. Coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain fruits and vegetables (for example, apples and potatoes) can stain your teeth.
Tobacco use.Smoking or chewing tobacco can stain teeth.
Poor dental hygiene. Inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration.
Disease. Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration. Treatments for certain conditions can also affect tooth color. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration. In addition, certain infections in pregnant mothers can cause tooth discoloration in the infant by affecting enamel development.
Medications. The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration.
Dental materials. Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to teeth.
Advancing age. As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away revealing the natural yellow color of dentin.
Genetics. Some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.
Environment. Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration.
Trauma. For example, damage from a fall can disturb enamel formation in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.
Tobacco use.Smoking or chewing tobacco can stain teeth.
Poor dental hygiene. Inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration.
Disease. Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration. Treatments for certain conditions can also affect tooth color. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration. In addition, certain infections in pregnant mothers can cause tooth discoloration in the infant by affecting enamel development.
Medications. The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration.
Dental materials. Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to teeth.
Advancing age. As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away revealing the natural yellow color of dentin.
Genetics. Some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.
Environment. Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration.
Trauma. For example, damage from a fall can disturb enamel formation in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.
Dental Implants
Removable dentures can be a pain. They slip, slide and come off at the most inconvenient moment. They also limit you to eating certain foods. What’s life if you can’t eat the foods you love? Torrance implant dentist Dr. Sutherland wants you to enjoy life again with permanent and long-lasting solutions to missing teeth.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that serve as artificial tooth roots that anchor a single permanent crown or a full set of artificial teeth. Unlike removable dentures, implants maintain bone structure and prevent low bone density.
A single tooth implant is used to replace one missing or extracted tooth. A titanium implant serves as the tooth root that holds the crown in place
Dental implants are small titanium posts that serve as artificial tooth roots that anchor a single permanent crown or a full set of artificial teeth. Unlike removable dentures, implants maintain bone structure and prevent low bone density.
Full Arch Implants
Full arch implants are great if you have lost all of your teeth in one or both arches. Dental implants are strategically placed along the upper or lower jaw and used to anchor permanent crowns. No messy adhesives and no slipping!Multiple Tooth Implants
For several missing teeth, conventional implants are surgically embedded into the jawbone and used to anchor crowns. The procedure may take several months because your bone and soft tissues are allowed to heal completely before the permanent crowns are placed.Single Tooth Implant
A single tooth implant is used to replace one missing or extracted tooth. A titanium implant serves as the tooth root that holds the crown in place
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening or bleaching is a non-invasive procedure that alters the color of the tooth enamel. The dentist applies a bleaching solution to your teeth to eliminate stains and discoloration. Teeth bleaching is great for:
-Discoloration due to tobacco, wine, coffee, tea and medications
-Discoloration due to age or normal wear
-Fluorosis or excessive fluoridation
Touchwhite Laser Whitening System
Get permanent, natural-looking results in just ONE session with our Touchwhite Laser Whitening System. TouchWhite is the fastest and most gentle tooth whitening treatment. It uses the Er:YAG laser wavelength, the wavelength that is best absorbed by water. Only the bleaching gel is heated during the procedure, so there is no thermal injury to the tooth.
Signature Services
Dr. Steven Sutherland works constantly to keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental care.
Dr. Sutherland uses the latest techniques and remains deeply committed to developing new and better ways to protect your teeth and gums.
At Torrance Dental Arts we work with modern technology to make many traditional treatments safer and quicker.
Dr. Sutherland uses the latest techniques and remains deeply committed to developing new and better ways to protect your teeth and gums.
At Torrance Dental Arts we work with modern technology to make many traditional treatments safer and quicker.
IV Sedation
Injection or intravenously (into a vein) methods require more experience to be administered and monitored properly. Injections and intravenous medications should be used only by dentists with extensive training in these techniques.
General anesthesia puts a patient into a deep sleep. He or she is unable to feel pain or to move around. General anesthesia may be recommended if the patient:
- Can't relax or calm down enough for treatment to be performed safely, even with conscious sedation and other behavior management techniques
- Needs oral surgery or other dental treatment that would be difficult for the patient to tolerate while awake
- Needs a lot of dental work that can best be done in one long appointment rather than many shorter visits
- Has a medical, physical or emotional disability that limits his or her ability to understand directions and be treated safely as an outpatient
Some general dentists have received training and a certification in general anesthesia, while others contract with an anesthesiologist. These professionals are trained to deliver the medications and monitor patients during the procedure and handle any complications that may occur.
General anesthesia puts a patient into a deep sleep. He or she is unable to feel pain or to move around. General anesthesia may be recommended if the patient:
- Can't relax or calm down enough for treatment to be performed safely, even with conscious sedation and other behavior management techniques
- Needs oral surgery or other dental treatment that would be difficult for the patient to tolerate while awake
- Needs a lot of dental work that can best be done in one long appointment rather than many shorter visits
- Has a medical, physical or emotional disability that limits his or her ability to understand directions and be treated safely as an outpatient
Some general dentists have received training and a certification in general anesthesia, while others contract with an anesthesiologist. These professionals are trained to deliver the medications and monitor patients during the procedure and handle any complications that may occur.
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