Do your teeth look discolored? Over time, multiple factors can lead to the onset of unsightly teeth stains, from our daily habits to our diet. Understanding what causes teeth stains can help you make the right decisions to keep your smile bright.
Try Our Discoloration and Teeth Whitening Quiz
- True or False: The foods and drinks you consume can impact the shade of your teeth.
- True or False: Smoking can lead to discoloration.
- True or False: Injury may lead to stained teeth.
- True or False: We have multiple options for addressing teeth stains.
Answer Key
- True. Foods high in sugar and other starches can promote plaque buildup, which makes stains more visible. In addition, drinks with dark pigments (such as soda, coffee, tea, fruit juice, and red wine) can stain the surface of the teeth. You will need to cut back on staining drinks and sugary foods to help reduce the severity of future discoloration.
- True. Smoking and using tobacco products can lead to yellow or brown stains on the surface of the teeth. In addition, tobacco products also boost the risk of oral, throat, and lung cancers, as well as other health issues. We always urge our patients to stop smoking right away.
- True. Injury, along with fluorosis and tetracycline use, can lead to intrinsic stains. These occur below the tooth enamel and are often more difficult to remove with teeth whitening procedures.
- True. We can use KoR Whitening to remove a variety of stains from your smile. We can also use restorations, such as veneers, to mask intrinsic stains that may not respond to our whitening systems. If you have any questions about obtaining a brighter smile, then please contact our office today.
