The Worst Things for Your Teeth
Top Causes of Dental Problems
By AOL Health Editors
Candy, cigarettes and coffee are major culprits of teeth discoloration, decay and more, but there are a number of other surprising terrors for your teeth. We went to the health experts to uncover these unlikely causes of dental problems.
Click through our gallery below to learn about the worst things for your teeth
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Worst Things for Your Teeth
White Wine
Thanks to a recent New York University (NYU) study, you can add this pale wine to your list of drinks that can stain your teeth. "The acids in wine create rough spots and grooves that enable chemicals in other beverages that cause staining, such as coffee and tea, to penetrate deeper into the tooth," says Dr. Mark Wolff, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry, who oversaw the study, in an NYU press release. Red wine is still the worst wine stainer, the study's findings confirm. One last tip from Dr. Wolff: "The best way to prevent staining caused by wine, as well as other beverages, is to use a toothpaste containing a whitening agent."
Thanks to a recent New York University (NYU) study, you can add this pale wine to your list of drinks that can stain your teeth. "The acids in wine create rough spots and grooves that enable chemicals in other beverages that cause staining, such as coffee and tea, to penetrate deeper into the tooth," says Dr. Mark Wolff, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry, who oversaw the study, in an NYU press release. Red wine is still the worst wine stainer, the study's findings confirm. One last tip from Dr. Wolff: "The best way to prevent staining caused by wine, as well as other beverages, is to use a toothpaste containing a whitening agent."
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Worst Things for Your Teeth
Milk
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Cough Medicine
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Lemonade
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Swimming Pools
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White Wine
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Medicine
Some antibiotics and over-the-counter medications can dull your smile, says Kimberly Harms, D.D.S., of the American Dental Association. Tetracycline can turn teeth yellow in small children and its derivative, minocycline, can cause a permanent bluish-gray stain in adults. Certain antihistamines can also discolor teeth. Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss all the medications you take (prescription and otherwise) to find out the impact on your teeth and if, in some cases, there are other alternatives.
Excessive Fluoride
Fluoride is generally good for your smile but too much of it can cause chalky white spots to appear on your teeth, according to Harms. Although it's rare (and a bigger concern for children than adults), people can get too much fluoride from drinking water with high concentrations of fluoride, or from excessive use of fluoride-containing toothpastes. Use a sensible pea-sized amount of toothpaste each time you brush, suggests Harms.
Genetics and Aging
As you get older your teeth have less of a chance of staying paper white. That's because the enamel of your teeth wears thin and the natural yellow or brown color of the underlying dentin layer shows through, explains Harms. You can also thank mom and dad for the intensity of the whiteness of your teeth -- some people just have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.
Dental Damage
Root canals are not only painful procedures, but over time trauma can cause a tooth to become discolored. Even damage to the teeth from an accident or fall can cause discoloration in both children and adults. "Any time the tooth dies, it may discolor," says Harms.
Dark Drinks
Coffee and tea are well-known teeth stainers, but many dark liquids, like fruit juice, red wine and soda can also turn teeth yellow. Even beer, which has acidic properties, can damage your smile. "Basically, anything that can stain your carpet can stain your teeth," Harms says. Swig some water around your mouth after drinking dark liquids to offset their staining power. Sipping your drinks through a straw can also help protect your front teeth.
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Ritchiebalm 12:03:06 PM Aug 11 2009
Seems as if everyone out there is crazy, Well just hang in there the world is going to change as we know it. this will all happen Sept 9, 1909, you won'ty realize it for awhile, then all of a sudden, you will know, and life will be so good for all and for the best., all the bad will be gone, and all will live happy lives. just remember you heard it here first, good luck and happines for all. we deserve it. love to all AND LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL. gRACE
BabuRob 11:40:06 AM Aug 11 2009
im a wealthy guy and i cant get a girl cause they dont know i have money, i live simply and they all think im poor and dont pay any attention to me, jokes on them
drmike15 10:52:02 AM Aug 11 2009
Avoid milk. You can get all the nutrients in farm-industry milk through organic fruits and veggies. Or organic yogurt. But no adult needs to be drinking milk from the bottle or carton.
Susana1939 10:14:49 AM Aug 11 2009
OMG! Who are these idiot losers that post constantly about bogus dating websites that no one cares about? Do they get paid for every post or something? I know one thing, if I ever again have to go hunt up a spouse, it one be on one of those douchbag sites! Good grief!
bostonbred111 10:04:59 AM Aug 11 2009
Teeth are bones. everyone's bones are a different hue of white. dental care begins with the very first ttooth that appears ina a baby. yes it does. i live with and take care of a Mentally Retarded 66 yr old woman who has pale green teeth... she chews sugarless gum 24 hrs a day and goes to bed with it in her mouth.... there is no reasoning with her. she Also has bad breath to the hilt. because of all the artificial sugar she consumes along with diet drinks and diet candy she has frequent diarrhea ...i mean it too floor, toilet , clothing. artificial sugar in extremes, is a diarrhea causing agent. Some adults aloow kids to drink coffeee and tea this will also stain their teeth kids need nutritious drinks: milk.
Rthrch502 09:02:11 AM Aug 11 2009
I know somebody that gives their kid a bottle at bedtime and the kids has it in his mouth all night long and at 2 years old has bad theeth already
Auctionsurplus 08:53:03 AM Aug 11 2009
My mother took Tetracycline when she was pregnant with me 53 years ago. While I take excellent care of my teeth, they have always been yellow. That is why. At 53 I have had only 3 cavities in my lifetime. I hate the yellow, but have learned to accept it. Ask about what different meds can do to the teeth of your unborn baby!
Auctionsurplus 08:51:18 AM Aug 11 2009
I have always had yellowed teeth.....and I take excellent care of them. At 53 I have had only 3 cavities in my life. The reason my teeth are yellow is because when she was pregnant my mother took Tetracycline. if you're pregnant, no one thinks about what prescription meds might do the TEETH of an unborn baby. I hate it, but have learned to live with it.
Kmihalko4 08:09:29 AM Aug 11 2009
Want white teeth? All you need is two things. . . a Sonicare toothbrush and Crest-white strips once or twice a year. I drink coffee, red wine, etc. and get comments at least once a week about how nice and white my teeth are.
OKIECHIK 07:57:14 AM Aug 11 2009
I am looking at the spam post about billionaireFriends.com. Seriously. People. Do you really think a billionaire needs to join a dating website? Even the ugliest billionaire is beating the women/men off with a stick.
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