We cannot stop aging, but we can make the best of it by keeping our smile nice and bright. Why do teeth get darker with age?
- Stains from coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and smoking among other things.
- Fillings on front teeth. Although these are tooth colored (one would hope!), they can pick up stains over time, showing dark lines between the edge of the filling and your natural tooth.
- Silver (amalgam) fillings can cause your teeth to have a dull grey color.
- Teeth grinding, toothbrush abrasion, and normal wear and tear: as you start to lose the outer enamel layer, the underlying dentin that is naturally yellow starts to show more.
Here’s what you can do about it:
- Remember to brush and floss daily. This will help to manage the amount of stain that remains on your teeth from tea, red wine, and other foods.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Some stains do not come off easily and require the help of a professional cleaning. Your dentist can also replace leaking fillings, suggest gentle brushing techniques to prevent abrasion, and recommend a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
- Quit smoking! Not only will this reduce your risk of oral cancer, it will improve your breath tremendously and improve the health of your gums.
- Teeth whitening. There are many safe and effective options available for bleaching your teeth.
Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave questions or comments below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 13, 2010
Teeth grinding is one of my most embarrassing secrets. The worst thing is, I didn’t even know about it until one of my girlfriends confronted me about it in the morning and each morning after that (we broke up – but that’s a different story) and I did not like the feeling. I attempted getting a dental guard for it, after taking a look at websites about how to stop grinding teeth, however then my jaws would get sore, and my teeth ached. It is an actual trouble, especially if I am staying with my girlfriend, as I’d wake up in the mornings, with drool all over if I am wearing a teeth guard. When you have any details about teeth grinding, I’d appreciate it if you happen to share – thanks!
It sounds like you ordered one of those prefabricated dental guards which would not help you as much as a custom fitted one from your dentist. To make a properly fitting guard, your dentist will take molds of your teeth. The dental guard will be made such that only certain teeth contact when you bite together, thus preventing your jaw muscles from clenching down. This forces your jaw muscles to relax while you sleep. The guard will also be smaller and thinner, thus causing less drool. Talk to your dentist about making one for you. Good luck, and thanks for reading!
Alright – I just didn’t like the idea of the molded ones because they are so expensive, but it looks like I don’t have a choice. Thanks!