The teeth are unique and essential parts of the human body. Asides from their undisputed function of food grinding, they are also necessary for physical appearance.
Many people suffer from teeth discoloration; therefore, many visits are being paid to the dental clinics to solve this problem. There are some ways to whiten your teeth if you suffer from discolored teeth, but let’s examine what causes it in the first place and how you can avoid that cause.
1. Causes of Discolored Teeth
Discoloration happens for many reasons. Sometimes it is caused by age, other times it’s caused by substances, etc.
When it comes to age, it is known that over time the enamel begins to wear off, exposing the dentin. The dentin may harbor food particles that lead to pain and discoloration.
Other substances or activities that can cause discoloration of the teeth include:
- Tobacco Smoking;
- Teeth staining foods like tea, dark cola, coffee, berries, etc.;
- Tooth rot;
- Gum disease, and so on.
After consuming some foods, failure to brush or floss can cause these stains to stay on your teeth. There are certain medications as well that can cause teeth discoloration in people.
2. How to Whiten Your Teeth
As stated earlier, one can implore many means to whiten their teeth if they experience discoloration.
People go to dental clinics while others utilize some natural methods for whitening their teeth.
Some of these methods include:
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In-chair Whitening
It is a dental procedure that involves the application of hydrogen peroxide gel on the teeth, which is broken down by an LED heat lamp.
The gel is absorbed into the teeth while oxygen enters and removes the discoloration.
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Charcoal
People use charcoal to whiten their teeth because of its carbon properties. These carbon properties have the unique ability to remove the color from your teeth.
It’s one of the few natural homemade remedies for teeth whitening.
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Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an old method of cleaning teeth with oil. Oil can remove bacteria from the teeth. Taking a small amount of oil and using it to swish around your mouth will help get rid of bacteria that can make your teeth discolored.
Although it’s not a proven scientific method for teeth whitening, we are sure of its bacteria-removal ability.
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Regular Brushing
Brushing your teeth regularly, especially after taking drinks and food that stain your teeth, is one way to keep your teeth from discoloration.
And even when your teeth are discolored, brushing with the tooth-whitening paste can help correct the issue and give your teeth a new white look.
3. How to Care for Your Teeth
Just as they say, prevention is better than cure. Healthy dental practices can keep your teeth safe and functional without any problems. Some of these practices you need to carry out include:
- Regular dental check-ups
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Avoid eating before bed without brushing
- Floss as often as possible
- Avoid extremely hot or cold substances on your teeth.
These are a few; you can consult with a dentist to further understand how best to care for your teeth, especially if you’re already having trouble.
Conclusion
Your dental health is just as important as any other part of your life. Our teeth are essential for our physical appearance. Healthy teeth boost confidence and make you appear neat.
In a case of tooth discoloration, you must check with your dentist before carrying out any form of self-medication. This is to understand the actual cause and what can be done.
While you may not be able to do so much on your dentition due to other life activities, you can try to carry out any of these practices from time to time. Such action will make the difference you need in your dental health.
