Discolored teeth are never pleasant. They can make you feel self-conscious, decrease your willingness to smile, and negatively impact your ability to interact in wide variety of social situations as a result. But what is the meaning behind discolored teeth?
Discolored teeth can also indicate several potential health issues, so you really shouldn’t ignore it. Rather, you should contact your dentist Cerritos at Jesmine Boghawala DDS for an examination to determine whether or not you need medical care. There are several possible meanings behind yellow or discolored teeth. Here are some that might crop up during your exam.
The Meaning Behind Discolored Teeth
While we all want white teeth, discolored teeth don’t always mean bad things. The meaning of discolored teeth can be trickier to pin down.
Aging
As much as we might like to deny it, we all start to show the signs of aging eventually. Our teeth are no exception. Over the natural course of our lives, the enamel that surrounds our teeth is gradually warn away, revealing the dentin beneath. Unfortunately, dentin is not white. Instead, it tends to appear more yellow to our eyes, which is why you may notice your teeth changing color gradually in your 40s and 50s. This process can be slowed with regular dental care and aesthetic treatments, but it is completely natural.
Flaws in Your Dental Hygiene
When we fail to maintain a sufficient, regular dental hygiene routine, damage to the teeth is practically inevitable. Even when we’re brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and getting a professional cleaning at least twice a year, it is still possible for damage to occur. Patients with crooked teeth are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease even with superior habits. Sadly, this damage directly affects the enamel, which gives your teeth their white appearance. As decay advances, you’ll notice increasing levels of discoloration.
Smoking
Nicotine is highly addictive and affects roughly 14% of adult Americans. We all understand the health risks, but the aesthetic risks deserve more attention. For a person with any level of vanity, being addicted to nicotine can be a real hardship because the chemical damage doesn’t just exist on the inside. Smoking affects the visual appearance of your skin and teeth, rushing the aging process, while also physically staining them. Quitting proves far from easy. But if you remain invested in your health and your appearance, then you should reach out to a medical professional for help.
Excessive Fluoride Exposure
Fluoride plays an important role in protecting our teeth. Our dentists use it during treatments. And it often is put into our water in many cases. However, you can over-do it. When people expose their teeth to too much fluoride, it can cause discoloration.
Poor Dietary Choices
Consuming food and drink with a propensity to stain can easily explain tooth discoloration. Red wine, coffee, apples, and even potatoes can contribute to discoloration. Using a straw with staining drinks is one way to prevent their negative effects. You can also reduce their role in your diet and brush your teeth immediately after if the food or drink is not highly acidic.
High Fevers
If an infant or young child suffers from high fevers or another form of trauma, then it is possible for the enamel on their adult teeth to be negatively affected. In some cases, the development of the enamel is interrupted. As a result, it leaves the child with reduced or largely absent enamel.
Addressing Tooth Discoloration
There are literally dozens of situations that may result in discolored teeth, but these are some of the most common. Regardless of your situation, you should always talk to your dentist if you’re noticing changes to your teeth. Your concern will help them to direct their attention towards the problem to help you find a workable solution. In many cases, teeth whitening treatments can be used for mild discoloration. However, veneers may be needed for more severe discoloration, especially if it results from extensive damage to the enamel itself.
