How to Prevent Tooth Discolouration in 5 Easy Steps

Tooth discolouration and yellowing is a huge concern for Brits, with around 71% of adults stating they feel uncomfortable showing their teeth; a third of which said is due to the less than desirable colour of their teeth.

Thankfully, there are some simple ways that you can improve the colour of your teeth and prevent yellowing and discolouration, and Dr Viren Vithlani, periodontal specialist at MyMouth, a leading provider of oral healthcare solutions, explains how.

Your teeth can become discoloured for a wide range of reasons, such as dietary choices, smoking, and poor oral hygiene.

However, there are many ways you can prevent the discolouration of your teeth, many of which can be easily incorporated into your daily oral hygiene routine and are a far cheaper option than having to spend money on reversing the discolouration once it’s already happened.

1. Brushing twice daily

While this may seem obvious, as many as three in ten Brits brush their teeth only once a day, meaning they don’t see the advantages of regular brushing and are more prone to yellowing and discolouration.

Brushing for two minutes twice a day can help to remove surface-level stains from your teeth, working to keep discolouration at bay.

2. Limit staining foods

Unfortunately, some of our favourite foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine, and curry can cause deep staining on our teeth, especially if consumed regularly.

Certain foods and drinks have a stronger colour due to chemical compounds called chromogens, and it’s these chemicals that can stain the surface of your teeth.

To prevent discolouration, you should limit staining and acidic foods as much as you can.

3.Tongue cleaning

Did you know that cleaning your tongue can also help to keep your teeth clean?

By removing the dirt, debris, and bacteria from your tongue, you can prevent the build-up of plaque, which can cause teeth to look yellow, as well as prevent dental decay, which can cause discolouration through the weakening and breaking down of enamel.

4. Stopping smoking

When you smoke, the tar and nicotine in the cigarette can very quickly stain your teeth various shades of yellow and brown.

Not only can smoking be extremely damaging for your overall health, but it can also seriously damage your teeth by the way of gum disease, due to the tobacco causing a lack of oxygen to your bloodstream.

5. Pick the right toothpaste

Having a whitening toothpaste as part of your oral hygiene routine can help to keep your pearly whites clean, fresh and bright.

Containing the blue-coloured chemical ingredient covarine, whitening toothpaste works by adhering to the surface of the teeth, creating the optical illusion of whiter teeth.

Additionally, whitening toothpastes contain silica, which is an abrasive ingredient that removes surface stains by gently scrubbing them away when you brush your teeth.

By incorporating these simple steps into your daily routine, you won’t need to fork out thousands of pounds on cosmetic dental treatments to reverse the effects of yellowing and discolouration and instead, can take preventative measures to protect both the health and aesthetics of your teeth