Woman smiling with straight teeth

Practical Tips To Combat Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration can put a real damper on your self-confidence. However, the problem is far more widespread than most of us could imagine. And fortunately, there are several practical and effective ways that you can restore your smile to its former shiny white glory.

Causes Of Discoloration

There are several causes of tooth discoloration. And these range from poor oral hygiene, certain foods and beverages, and even some dental diseases.

Although, regardless of what you might think the cause is, it’s always wise to consult your dentist to determine the actual cause. And if the problem is severe, your dentist will recommend the most suitable treatment options.

If you’re somewhat concerned about the potential procedures, you should find the best dentist for sedation, as this will ensure procedures are painless and the results are professional. That said, these practical tips will help you combat discoloration.

Teeth Whitening

The fastest way to get a dazzling white smile is to opt for a teeth whitening procedure at your dentist. Teeth whitening is painless when done professionally, and the procedure will take a little over half an hour.

However, even when opting for teeth whitening, there are a few mistakes to avoid. These include not brushing before your appointment, not following a suitable diet to prevent stains from resurfacing, and, in many cases, opting for DIY treatments that can cause tooth and gum sensitivity.

Whitening Toothpaste

One common cause of discoloration and decay is not brushing teeth properly and using the wrong toothpaste. If you are using a hard-bristle toothbrush and brushing vigorously, you will be removing your protective enamel layer, resulting in yellowing, decay, and discoloration stains.

So, instead, rather opt for a whitening charcoal formulation toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Always be sure to brush gently, and in many cases, you may find an improvement in tooth color after a few short days simply by brushing correctly with the right product.

Try Natural Solutions

While whitening kits can be a bit risky in terms of tooth and gum sensitivity, natural solutions can do no harm. So, if they don’t work, you won’t be worse off.

Some natural solutions to try at home include baking soda and lemon juice, eating strawberries, using coconut oil as an oil pull, and applying a turmeric paste. There are a few out there that some swear by as effective methods. However, natural remedies are unlikely to show much improvement if your discoloration is caused by an illness, medication, or other more concerning issues.

When combating tooth discoloration, it is always best to first consult your dentist before attempting store-bought whitening kits or attempting other measures that can cause further harm, such as brushing vigorously or using harsher oral products with high hopes.

Your trusted dentist will advise you on the most suitable course of action to treat the discoloration and provide you with the proper steps to care for your teeth and prevent discoloration from returning. So, instead of attempting to solve the issue, or worse, neglecting the problem to worsen over time, consult your dentist to get the results you need.