When drinking a cup of tea or your morning coffee, you may not think much about how it is impacting your smile. When you look at your teeth in the morning in preparation for brushing, you might not spend much time evaluating the color of your teeth until one day, out of nowhere, you realize your once whiter and brighter smile now appears dull and yellowed. How does this happen and what can you do about it? A local dentist is here to share how tannins play a role in causing discoloration but also how teeth whitening in Castle Rock can help save the day.
Tannins 101
Tannins are chemical compounds that are found in pigmented foods and beverages. Although they tend to produce a bitter and astringent taste (i.e., coffee, red wine), they are known to have some benefits in that they can minimize your risk for gum disease and infections. But what is also worth noting is that tannins can cause stains to develop on your teeth. This is why dentists strongly recommend that you rinse out your mouth after consuming any foods or beverages that appear dark in color.
As tannins are consumed, they cling to sugars and starches and adhere to the outermost surface of your teeth (the enamel). Over time, if left untreated, the porous outer layer will break down and cause not only decay but discoloration to occur.
Some of the most prominent foods and beverages that contain tannins include tomato sauce, sodas, balsamic vinegar, coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and even citrus fruits.
The Benefits of Teeth Whitening
If you’re thinking about trying to dilute the tannins you consume, which is possible through adding milk or creamer to your coffee and various other ways, you cannot completely avoid the possibility of teeth stains. As a result, you may want to consider an alternative – teeth whitening.
Offered by many dentists as a viable and safe way to brighten your smile, you can opt between in-office treatment or take-home whitening kits. Instead of wasting money on store-bought products that leave much to be desired, professional treatment by a licensed cosmetic dentist will have you seeing noticeable results in no time at all.
When choosing to brighten your teeth with the help of a dentist, you can see a whiter, brighter smile in just one hour with in-office care. However, if you’d rather stay at home, your dentist can provide you with customized trays and bleaching gel. By wearing them according to the instructions provided to you by your dentist, you can expect to see results in as little as two weeks.
It’s foolish to say that you should avoid all dark-colored foods and beverages from now on, but you will want to alter your intake if you want to minimize possible discoloration. But no matter how much or how little you consume, you can take comfort knowing that teeth whitening is readily available to help you smile brighter.
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington opened Cowlitz River Dental in 2002. Since then, he and his team continue to provide patients living in Castle Rock with healthier, more aesthetically pleasing smiles. Offering in-office and take-home teeth whitening solutions, Dr. Kennington can easily remove stains and discoloration caused by dark-colored beverages or smoking. If you’re ready to do something about your dull, lackluster smile, visit our website or call (360) 703-9092.