The long-term effects of stained teeth

One of the most noticeable things about anybody’s smile is the colour of their mouth. Improving the health of your teeth is essential, but this includes the stains that often accompany daily food and drink consumption, plus sometimes poor oral care.

But is there more to stained teeth than pure aesthetics? 

This article will examine the long-term effects of stained teeth, what they can lead to, and how we stay on top of having a stain-free smile.

Why do teeth get stained?

Our teeth get stained because of our food, drink, and other substances that leave residue in the enamel on our teeth. 

It’s perfectly normal that over time this might occur a little, but it will happen a lot if you consume foods more likely to stain your teeth more regularly, cavities are more likely to occur thanks to the tannins that increase the chance of sugars and carbohydrates attaching themselves to teeth.

It’s not just food that can cause this, either. Smoking, alcohol, and carbonated drinks are among the main culprits for staining teeth. 

Routine care for our teeth and gums, plus regular dental hygienist visits, is advised to prevent staining so that you can keep your oral health in prime condition.

Long-term effects of stained teeth

It’s likely that cavities will appear on stained teeth, which can harm the structure of your teeth overall. Avoiding cavities by taking good care of your teeth generally and regularly booking appointments with your dentists will reduce the risk of this happening.

Other complications from tooth discolouration include inflamed or bloody gums, tooth decay, and gum disease, making care to prevent stains on teeth vital.

Poor dental hygiene even has links to more serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

This domino effect from initially stained teeth means that taking action when we notice the first signs of staining can be greatly beneficial to our overall health, aside from making your smile a more radiant one.

Thankfully, stained teeth, including the enamel on the surface, aren’t permanently discoloured and the problem can be rectified with expert care and equipment. We wouldn’t recommend home kits to resolve the issues - instead, book in with a Pure Smiles hygienist today to get the best results.

How do I prevent stained teeth?

Within reason, you should look to reduce your sugar, alcohol, cigarette, and any other substance intake that can contribute to stained teeth. Of course, there are other long-term effects rather than just the look of your teeth.

Regular care for your teeth in the form of brushing, flossing, and mouthwash is vitally important to keep stains off your teeth.

Performing these tasks routinely, every day will protect your teeth against most forms of bacteria and limit the chances you’ll experience discolouration. 

Another thing you can do is to visit your dental hygienist as regularly as you can to remove as much of the staining as possible. 

Pure Smiles recommends air polishing your teeth to remove any stains. This safe and painless method of cleaning your teeth will produce excellent results and keep your oral health in good condition.