Causes and Treatments for Staining of Teeth

A brief look at what causes staining of teeth, and natural remedies that can help control the problem.

As we get older we start to notice changes in our bodies and outward appearance. Some of these are for the good and some are for the bad.

Staining of Teeth is one of those elements of ageing that many of us have to deal with. This can gradually creep up on us until one day when we look in the mirror and don’t like what we see.

There are several causes of this ailment. What we eat and drink contributes highly to how are teeth will look in later life. The positive side to this fact is that there is a lot we can do to control and correct this problem.

The first step in correcting the problem of Staining of Teeth is to know the causes. Once the source of the problem is known then the solution is not far behind. One of the most common causes of outward tooth stains is poor oral hygiene. Those that neglect their teeth are far more likely to develop this problem in later life than those that brush regularly and visit their dentist as they should. Teeth that are not brushed and flossed properly can start to turn a greenish-yellow color. This appears first around the gum line and then later to the rest of the tooth. This can become permanent if proper care isn’t taken up.

Food and drink can also contribute to Staining of Teeth. Items such as coffee, Tea, Fruit Juices, and Red wine can gradually discolor the teeth. These stains will not be visible at first, but will become more pronounced and noticeable as time goes on. These drinks can leave lasting marks as they are not easily removed even if someone brushed regularly.

Smoking is a leading cause of teeth discoloration. The nicotine from the tobacco can create yellowish brown stains. These are particularly hard to remove as they penetrate into the pits and gaps of the teeth. Brushing alone usually isn’t enough to remove these types of stains.

Finally, certain medications can lead to the teeth being discolored.

Iron supplements can leave black marks on the teeth while some mouthwashes can do the same. Mouthwashes with Cholorhexidine are the worst offenders so check the labels before you purchase.

Fortunately, there are several things that we can do to stop this process and even reverse it. Since many of the causes are due directly to things that we eat and drink, cutting down on these things will help decrease the problem. Brushing your teeth at least 3 times a day and between snacks will help solve a large part of the problem. Changing the toothbrush when needed also helped contribute to tooth cleaning. Avoiding foods and drinks that stain teeth will help stop the build up of tooth discoloration. Kicking the smoking habit will also save the teeth a lot of damage as well as contribute to ones overall health.

Prevention however, is only half the battle. Most of us with this problem will have to take some form of action. Believe it or not, there are several natural remedies available that can help reduce unsightly colors on teeth.

Strawberries are delicious but many are not aware of their natural tooth cleaning capabilities. Strawberries are packed full of vitamin C and they have natural bleaching capabilities. By biting into the strawberry and rubbing the pulp on the outer surface of the teeth, the teeth will get a cleaning as well as a cleaning by using a toothpaste or dentist’s cream. Doing this daily will keep your smile bright.

Swapping sweet snacks for raw vegetables is another brilliant plan. Not only will you avoid the pounds, but also give your teeth and gums a good natural wash. Raw vegetable are full of properties that break down stains. By swapping these with sweet snacks you’re also cutting down the plaque build up.

Finally, lemon slices are excellent for cleaning the surface of teeth. Similar to strawberries they are loaded with vitamin C. They also contain natural acids that clean. Simply rub the peel over the surface of the teeth and rinse. Sailors from centuries ago used this remedy to stop teeth and gums bleeding as well as to keep off other sicknesses.

As we get older we start to notice the visible signs of our lifestyle. Staining of Teeth is just one of many indicators that we haven’t been caring for ourselves properly. Fortunately, there are lots we can do to stop and even reverse the problem. What is even more fortunate is that there are several natural courses of action that we can take. By cutting down on foods that discolor and increasing our intake of natures cleansers; our teeth, smile, and overall outward appearance can be vastly improved.