Having discolored teeth could make you look older, and the condition is suggestive of underlying oral problems. Among adults who don’t maintain their teeth and gums, stained teeth would be the first indication of negligence, with the enamel, the white outer layer of the tooth, coated by plaque and tartar stain, caused by the build-up of bacteria.
Teeth naturally darken with age due to gradual degeneration and grime buildup. Removing stains through regular cleaning to keep teeth whiter is more manageable in the teen years, but the yellowish hue re-occurs in the twenties. As a person ages, the dentition becomes tougher to maintain its whiteness.
Unhealthy foods and smoking are also primary factors that discolor teeth. Consuming junk foods and dark-colored beverages like soda and red wine on a regular basis will almost certainly leave their stains on the teeth over time. Nicotine from smoking leaves stubborn brownish deposits that can ruin the enamel of the teeth when neglected.
The tooth enamel is basically comprised of tiny crystalline rods that protect the core of the teeth from the effects of sugar’s acid attacks, trauma, and chewing. The daily assaults on the enamel eventually take a toll, wearing away over time, and becoming more transparent, revealing the inherent yellowish hue of the tooth’s core material, the dentin.
Other than the natural deterioration, the enamel also produces microscopic cracks every time you chew and grind your teeth. Food particles, grime, and blemishes slowly accumulate within these cracks and spaces in the rods that eventually cast a dull appearance on the teeth. Without treatment and maintenance, the teeth in time take on a darker color.
When you chew on a cracked tooth, the spaces in between the dentin get filled with debris and blotches. This is the reason for the yellowish cast on your teeth the older you get, and gets even duller as time goes by, and without proper cleaning.
Besides having regular checkups, maintaining a proper smile also means keeping to a regular balanced diet filled with nutritious fruits and vegetables. Keep heavy carbohydrates within the three mealtimes of the day, rather than consuming them in small chunks as a snack. Opt for whole grains and tea, both for detoxifying your body and easy elimination of teeth debris.
For optimum teeth whitening results, visit your local dentist in Raleigh, NC, or an experienced dentist from Gover and Gover Dentistry, which offers teeth whitening and other extensive restorative dental procedures for their patients.
Sources:
Teeth Whitening: How it Works and what it Costs. Yourdentistryguide.com
10 surprising habits and foods that protect your pearly whites. Prevention.com
