Dental health is vital

Preventing yellow teeth

by Felecia Butler

While the existence of whitening kits, strips and toothpastes means that there are a multitude of ways of whitening your teeth, preventing stains from gathering on them in the first place is the better option. This is because whitening treatments over a long period of time can really add up in terms of costs and effort. According to dentists from around Australia and the wider world, the best way to prevent yellowing and stains on your teeth is to watch what you eat and drink and regularly and thoroughly clean them.

What to limit or avoid:

Like the more serious dental malady known as tooth decay, tooth staining results from a build up of plaque, a gritty substance that is composed of a combination of food particles, bacteria and saliva. Certain foods and drinks, particularly those high in complex sugars and starches, speed up the formation of plaque and consequent yellowing and decay and should therefore be consumed in moderation or not at all. 

While sugary soft and energy drinks, lollies and junk food generally are the obvious culprits, highly acidic foods, such as fruits like blueberries, oranges and pineapples, can also damage your teeth. Other drinks that easily stain include tea, coffee and strong alcoholic beverages such as red wine. If a certain drink would be difficult to wash out of a tablecloth, chances are they'll be difficult to get off of your teeth as well. While we're on the topic, tobacco is also known for its speedy yellowing capacity. 

How to minimise staining

While avoiding the more harmful products on the aforementioned list is the most effective way of preventing staining, sometimes you can't help but indulge. In these instances, there are a few things you can do to at least limit staining. When drinking sugary or acidic beverages, utilising a straw means the drink will bypass most of your teeth and thereby cause less damage. Chewing gum, rinsing out your mouth with water or mouthwash and cleaning your teeth after every meal or extremely sugary drink also minimises the their negative effects. 

How to thoroughly clean your teeth:

Finally, it's important to reiterate the most obvious prevention strategy: regular cleaning. Not only does brushing twice every day and flossing regularly reduce staining, but it also ensures good oral hygiene in general. This limits your chances of getting an infection or some other type of mouth disease. Your dentist will appreciate the effort. 

But if you already have stains, talk to your dentist about tooth whitening procedures.

Share