Teeth and dentures can discolor over time due to a variety of factors. There are two main types of discoloration that affect teeth; extrinsic, or stains on the outer surfaces, and intrinsic, discoloration of the inner part of the tooth itself. Because dentures aren’t susceptible to intrinsic staining, the focus of this blog will be on outer discoloration.

Tobacco Use

It’s not surprising, but tobacco use is a huge factor in the shade of your teeth. Tooth enamel absorbs the stains from tobacco smoke (or chewing tobacco) and over time, your smile will appear dingier and dingier. If you’re ready to quit using tobacco, but need a little help, get advice on how to start here.

Poor Dental Hygiene

When proper brushing and flossing aren’t maintained, plaque and stain-producing substances are left on the teeth to cause tartar and major discoloration. To keep your smile pearly white, you should brush for at least two minutes, twice a day and floss once a day. Adding a fluoridated mouthwash doesn’t hurt either.

Dark Food & Drink

The number one smile stainer for all adults has got to be to daily consumption of dark foods and drinks, and that means, you guessed it, coffee. If you’re interested in preventing stained teeth, try switching out coffee for green or white tea. And when you do indulge in dark chocolate or other treats, remember to rinse your mouth out with water right after — it’ll go far in removing the staining agents from the teeth.

There are many everyday examples of what stains teeth and dentures. While staining and discoloration is a common problem, there are steps that can be taken to prevent it. Regular professional dental cleanings will remove most outer staining.  Whitening toothpastes may be useful in removing stains, but these will not change the underlying shade of your teeth. Dentures should be cleaned daily with a denture brush, regular tooth brush, or soaked in a denture cleanser.

The pros at Dentures Par Excellence are ready to help if you are considering, or ready for dentures. Schedule an appointment today by calling 309-693-7200. We are located at 5401 North Knoxville Avenue, Suite 302 in Peoria, IL. For more information, please visit our website.

Sources:

https://www.denturesparexcellence.com/

http://www.hastingsdentist.com/how-we-can-help/terms-to-know/glossary-of-conditions/loose-dentures/partials.html

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/article/tooth-discoloration

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html

https://pixabay.com/en/toothbrush-toothpaste-hygiene-blue-2589480/

https://pixabay.com/en/health-medical-toothbrush-2696810/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-biting-brown-chocolate-37831/