Surprising Causes of Teeth Stains
Top Teeth Stainers
by Christina Parrella
Coffee and cigarettes are two major culprits of teeth discoloration, but there are a number of other surprising teeth tarnishers. Here, Kimberly Harms, D.D.S., of the American Dental Association exposes the top causes of teeth stains and discoloration.
Excessive Fluoride
Fluoride is generally good for your smile but too much of it can cause chalky white spots to appear on your teeth. 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.
Medicine
Some antibiotics and over-the-counter medications can dull your smile. 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.
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. 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.
Colorful Foods
That handful of cherries you've been snacking on may be good for your health, but it can be bad for your teeth because heavily pigmented foods such as blueberries, cranberries and soy sauce quickly stain them. Brush your teeth as soon as you can after eating staining foods.
Bad Habits
Poor brushing techniques and forgetting to floss means stain-producing substances are not routinely removed from your teeth. Improper teeth care can also allow bacteria to build up on your teeth which can result in yellow and green stains. Harms suggests gently brushing for the length of one song or about three minutes.
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elevent 08:07:48 PM Aug 26 2008
Fluoride is more toxic than Lead and almost as toxic as Mercury. There is no benefit at all to the human body, only a poison. If you want to see what it does to teeth, just take a look on google images. Fluoride is also found in rat poison as a main ingredient. WAKE UP.
SCHULTZKIDS2 11:18:54 AM Jul 18 2008
In the 90's the Institute for Dental Research admitted that 66.4% of the kids had evidence of fluoride toxic exposure tat could be seen as hypo minerized enamel. The CDC required much more damage and on multiple teeth and to not consider the worst damaged tooth and instead claimed 22% up until Aug 2005 when they admitted 32% damaged. They deceided not to publish the 2003-2004 study that showed 48.42% of 12-15 year old damaged. Some things are better left unmentioned when you are trying to get mandatory fluoridation in all states. The truth is usually the first casuality. Just look at a study or two and the risk of kidney and thyroid damage also they seem to forget everything. fluoridealert.org Jim Schultz They also hide the fact taht blacks have double the ugly moderate and severe damage as whites.
SCHULTZKIDS2 11:10:04 AM Jul 18 2008
Waterloowatch.com is a excellent site for some information from north of the boarder as teeth are the same everywhere. Fluoride damages everyone and the US health department in 1993 cautioned nearly everyone was at risk and read the list at fluoridealert.org Jim Schultz
SCHULTZKIDS2 11:06:18 AM Jul 18 2008
Did not find the top tooth stainers article but one that I know well is fluoride. The ADA site forgot to mention on Nov 9 2006 they warned to not use fluoridated water for infant formula as the CDC also did. Neither had shared this with a press release to the public and most doctors do not warn either so either so the first knowledge is ugly stained teeth popping out and to late to do anything. The latest review Pizzo 2007 showed 51% of children in fluoridated communities now have enamel damage from fluoride toxicity of multiple teeth. The fact that fluoride has no measurable ingested benefit has not slowed down the promotion as they now claim it is a topical effect but do not mention 1ppm has no topical benefit that has been measured yet so they just imply it. 19 of the EPA unions of scientists want an immediate moratorium and investigations into the fraud by government agencies. Do not hold your breath as they first asked for this in 2000 and 1997 and 1986 with a lawsuit about not
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