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Dentists on the Gold Coast discuss the ways in which your teeth become stained, and how to prevent this. To discuss professional teeth-whitening, contact us today.

What Causes Teeth to Become Stained?

The enamel of your teeth changes over time and can become more prone to stains if ignored. Understanding the substances in foods which cause stains can help you identify the best ways to keep your teeth as white as possible.

Chromogens:

These are compounds with very strong pigments which adhere to the tooth enamel.

Tannins:

These are pigment compounds and while they are plant-based, they actually help other staining compounds to stick easily to the teeth. While many people blame coffee for stained teeth, relatively harmless drinks like tea contain a large amount of tannins and actually stain teeth much faster.

Acids:

Foods which are highly acidic, especially the kinds which are loaded with other preservatives will soften the enamel of your teeth over time and make it easier for stains to set in. Strong, hard teeth will always provide you with better protection and a longer lasting, confident smile!

How to Keep Your Teeth White

It may sound like obvious advice, but there’s no getting around it! The number one way to keep your teeth white is to practice good oral health. Brushing at least twice a day, if not after every meal is a great way to reduce the build-up of plaque and prevent tooth decay. Flossing provides added protection and a good anti-microbial mouthwash to finish off your routine will always show results. Avoid smoking and foods that are high in sugar and preservatives which wear away the enamel over time.

Electric Toothbrush

Manual toothbrushes are effective at cleaning your teeth, but they depend greatly on your technique and focus. Electric brushes allow you to focus entirely on scrubbing every surface in the mouth properly because the rotation of the brush head is mechanical. Electric brushes are optimised to spin or vibrate just the way your teeth require. Many come with in-built pressure sensors which turn the brush off if you press too hard against the teeth.

Watch Your Diet

The key to keeping your teeth white is to delay the inevitable staining and plaque build up that happens over time. At Dentists on the Gold Coast, our team are experts in teeth whitening procedures to give you that perfect smile, but we also believe that prevention is better than the cure. Paying attention to your diet can drastically increase the life of your whitening procedure. Here are some foods to avoid if you want to prevent your teeth from becoming discoloured.

• Coffee
• Red Wine
• Ketchup
• Foods which contain artificial dyes
• Carbonated, sugar drinks.

We also recommend consuming foods which help clean your teeth and improve dental health over time such as:

• Broccoli
• Apples
• Carrots
• Pineapples
• Yogurt, cheese and other dairy products

Advanced Teeth Whitening Services in Bundall

At Dentists on the Gold Coast, we recognise what a difference a shiny smile makes to a person’s confidence. Stained, discoloured teeth can be embarrassing and can cause some people to withdraw socially. Our advanced teeth whitening experts use the latest technology to successfully whiten your teeth while causing zero damage to precious tooth enamel. Read more about our whitening services or book an appointment with us now!