At the moment, we’re not offering cosmetic treatments and are limiting treatments to emergency situations, such as decayed or infected teeth, or dental damage. However, we know that a beautiful smile is important to our patients, and so we want to talk about teeth stains. Your Astoria, NY, dentist will explain how they form, and how you can reduce severity until you can see our team again.
The Factors Behind Stained Teeth
Over time, a number of factors lead to our teeth developing brown or yellow stains. While discoloration is to be expected eventually, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce severity until we can offer cosmetic teeth whitening again. Often, plaque buildup, which forms when bacteria consume food particles left on and between the teeth, coats the teeth and makes discoloration more visible. Beverages with dark pigments and tannins, such as coffee, red wine, soda, and tea, could leave behind discoloration over time as well. Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products could also stain your teeth too!
Better Homecare Habits
Try to avoid tobacco products. Not only do you keep teeth bright, but you also reduce your risk of developing several types of cancer. We suggest cutting back on beverages with dark pigments, and avoiding foods high in sugars and starches that feed harmful bacteria. You can also reduce the severity of plaque buildup by brushing and flossing your teeth each day. You should brush your teeth when you wake up and again before bed using a soft bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Each session should take two minutes. We also urge people to floss before going to bed as well.
Solutions to Avoid
Now, there are a number of products and home remedies offering brighter smiles, but you should be aware of the risks. For example, charcoal toothpastes, oil pulling, and vinegar are often touted as solutions, but these could lead to upset stomachs and debatable results. Whitening toothpastes often contain abrasive agents to remove discoloration that could also weaken and erode tooth enamel. Whitening strips are effective, but if used improperly could lead to serious sensitivity and a translucent appearance. Instead, we suggest routine daily care, better food and drink choices, and when we open our doors again, preventive treatments and cosmetic care! If you have any questions, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Keeping Your Smile Bright?
We want to make sure you continue to take good care of your smile from home until we can see you for preventive and cosmetic care once more. To learn more about keeping smile beautiful from home, then schedule a consultation, call Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
