TEETH STAINERS

Good white teeth are a sign of good health and well-being. But, with the lifestyle that people enjoy today, this is a rare occurrence.  Our teeth have a baseline color, whose shade may vary a little from case to case. It is analogous to two blond females. They are both blonde-haired individuals, but their blonde hair, are not of the same shade. Tooth discoloration is be caused by surface staining.   The time between professional dental cleanings may subject the teeth to various life events and foods that may discolor the teeth.

The cumulative effect of a number of different processes may affect the color of a person’s teeth. Chromogenic foods like coffee, tea, colas, and red wine are, all known to cause teeth discoloration. Along with smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, pipes, and cigars are said to cause teeth staining. Antibiotics like tetracycline (and its derivates) cause blue-gray tooth staining, if ingested during tooth formation. Fluoride is another antibiotic known to cause chalky white to brown tooth stains.  Physiological processes are also causes of teeth discoloration.  Aging is another culprit causing this defect. Tooth decay may also lead to black to brown teeth. At times teeth discoloration may be a result of tooth trauma, like an accident.  Dental work on teeth, may also lead to discoloration of teeth.

TEETH WHITENING FOODS

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most beneficial ways to reduce discoloration of the teeth. However, some foods provide natural home remedies for teeth whitening. These are, not as good, as professional teeth-whiteners are, but they offer cheap alternatives for sparkling teeth. The following foods are elemental in giving white teeth.

Strawberries:

Rubbing strawberries, on one’s teeth, leads to shining teeth. Alternatively, preparing a paste of crushed strawberries with baking soda and brushing one’s teeth with it, twice a week, each time leaving the mixture on the teeth for five minutes, can give white teeth. Remember, the next time you go to a strawberry park, don’t eat those strawberries – rub them on your teeth.

Orange Peel:

Orange peel is a natural tooth whitener. Buffing one’s teeth with the inside of an orange peel is a good remedy for white teeth. Alternatively, combining ground bay leaves with dried orange peel into a paste, and using that for brushing teeth can give good results.

Lemon Juice:

This is, already used in the hair as a bleaching agent.  However, this ingredient works wonders on the teeth too. Mixing lemon juice with baking soda to make a paste, for brushing the teeth, or gargling with it daily before brushing one’s teeth can help remove surface stains.

Apple Cedar Vinegar:

Apple Cedar Vinegar, apart from curing yeast infection, also removes dirty stains from the teeth. Like a lemon, this, can be mixed with baking soda, and used. This has the added benefit of relieving symptoms of acid reflux disease. It is found that people suffering from acid reflux disease often have stained teeth.

Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables:

Eating raw vegetables also leads to whiter teeth. Apples, carrots, cauliflower, celery, pears and other crunchy fruits and vegetables help clean the teeth and prevent stains. The natural fibers of the fruits and vegetables combine with the saliva in the mouth, to wash away the food particles and stain causing bacteria.  The malic acid in them further helps in this process.

HOW TO KEEP OUR TEETH IN GOOD CONDITION

The following things are practiced:

• Brush regularly and properly. One should brush at least twice a day.
• Swish the mouth with water after meals.
• Floss properly.
• Use a toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Use anti-tartar toothpaste and mouthwashes.
• Special toothpaste should be used for sensitive teeth.
• Use tooth-whitening products
• Avoid excessive use of sugary foods.
• Avoid sugary foods before bedtime. If eaten, then the teeth should be cleaned thoroughly.
• Clean the teeth regularly.
• Use a mouthwash.
• Avoid cheap dental products like mouthwash, toothpaste, etc.
• AVOID SOME KINDS OF FOODS.

FOODS TO AVOID

Unknowingly, we consume foods, which damage our teeth enamel, thus leading to their staining.  The structure of the teeth is composed of tooth enamel. The enamel is a hard material protecting the inner tissues of the teeth. Although, the enamel is hard, it is also porous, thus leaving it susceptible to staining by prolonged exposure to certain foods and drinks. The enamel is semi-transparent and has an under layer of dentin.  The dentin stains due to the ingress of colors or dyes into it, through prolonged use of some foods.

These foods are as under:

COLAS: Soft drinks and aerated drinks contain sugar, which has carbon as its main ingredient. Excessive use of such drinks, leads to deposition of sugar particles, in the teeth.  Retention of these particles, leads to their disintegration to the bare ingredients and carbon being black in color stains the teeth.  

COFFEE AND TEA: Tea and coffee contain certain brown and yellow dyes, which stain the teeth in due course of time.  If, these are consumed, then they should be with milk and not in their black form.

BLUEBERRY: This is one of the natural stains for fabric. Likewise, it also stains the teeth.

SMOKING: The nicotine and tar content in cigarettes tend to stain the surface of teeth, making them yellow in a short time. 

Other foods to avoid for preventing staining the teeth are rice, cranberries, mustard, liquor, and red wine