Having white teeth Sutton may not be the massive cause for concern in comparison with other dental issues, however teeth staining can cause low self-esteem and a lack of confidence due to how obvious it can be. Teeth staining or yellowing is one of the most common issues we encounter at Benhill Dental Practice, and there are many factors that may cause it. Fortunately, the solution is usually fairly straightforward and can often be achieved yourself at home through changes in diet and a good oral health routine. If you feel as though you are unable to achieve white teeth Sutton by yourself and would like some professional help, you can opt for teeth whitening which is carried out by our dental hygienist or dentist and works to eliminate any signs of staining or discolouration, leaving your teeth looking whiter and brighter. 

What causes teeth to stain or yellow?

Your teeth can develop stains or become yellow due to a selection of factors with some unfortunately being out of your control. Your teeth tend to become yellow as you grow older due to exposure to acids from food and drink that cause your enamel to disintegrate. As the enamel wears down, it triggers the dentine beneath it to become exposed, which is yellow in colour. Sometimes the dentine can cause your teeth to turn grey when the yellow shade mixes with a long-lasting food stain.

Another reason your teeth may turn yellow or stained is due to teeth grinding which is often seen in children and is an unconscious habit that occurs when you are stressed or asleep. Grinding your teeth habitually can be harmful to your tooth enamel as it weakens it until it cracks, causing it to become yellow.

Experiencing trauma to the teeth can also cause them to stain and we usually see this when someone has undergone a high impact accident; cracks in the tooth enamel can damage the interior of the tooth leading to its discolouration. It is also important to note that the discolouration may indicate internal tooth bleeding which requires urgent professional attention.

Sometimes, certain lifestyle habits that you may choose to take up can have a negative impact on the colour of your teeth. Smoking is a common cause of staining as the nicotine within cigarettes leaves a yellowish-brown residue on your teeth which stains its surface. Additionally to this, excessive drinking has also been linked to stained teeth, so it is important to limit your consumption to prevent your teeth from turning yellow.

Numerous foods and drinks have been found to contribute to tooth staining; powders that contain pigment, for example curry powders, cling to the tooth enamel and stain its surface. Additionally, caffeine sports drinks that contain artificial flavouring can impact the overall shade of your teeth.

Sometimes, antibiotics can cause discolouration in your teeth; this can even begin in foetal life if the mother has to take antibiotics during the course of her pregnancy. Antibiotics such as tetracycline are known to stain the teeth that emerge in babies as a result of their mother taking the antibiotic whilst pregnant.

If you believe any of the above-mentioned factors are contributing to the staining or yellowing of your teeth, contact our dentist for a hygiene appointment where they can lift any heavy and old stains your teeth may have and restore their original brightness.

How teeth whitening works

Having white teeth Sutton is a fairly straightforward process which involves a dental hygienist or dentist using compressed air, fine powder particles and water to remove plaque build-up and stubborn stains.  Another common method used to whiten teeth is through the use of a special bleaching gel which is applied to a custom-made whitening tray that is placed on to your teeth and gently removes stains from its surface. This process typically takes two weeks to complete, however the results are long lasting provided you take good care of your teeth post treatment.