3 Unexpected Things That Are Staining Your Teeth

You probably think that you know what kinds of things are likely to stain your teeth. Poor dental hygiene, smoking, red wine, coffee – all no-nos if you want to keep your teeth sparkly white. But if you've been avoiding the most common culprits, and you're still looking at yellow or discolored teeth when you smile in the mirror, you have to wonder what's going on. The truth may surprise you – it turns out that there are some sneaky staining items that fly under most people's radars. Take a look at the unexpected items that may be preventing you from having a bright white smile.

Tea

Tea has a reputation as a healthy drink, or at least a healthier alternative to coffee or soda. And in many ways, it is. However, tea has a dark side that many people don't know about: its effect on your teeth. Believe it or not, tea is actually more likely to cause stains than coffee is. This is because tea has a higher tannin content than coffee, and it's the tannins that actually stain your teeth.

You don't have to give up drinking tea, but it's a good idea to follow a cup of tea with a glass of water to help wash the remnants of the beverage out of your mouth. If you're drinking tea at home, brush your teeth soon after drinking. Also, you may want to consider switching from black tea to green or herbal teas. All teas contain tannins, but black tea has the highest tannin content.

Mouthwash

That's right – the bottle of mouthwash on your bathroom sink could be responsible for your tooth discoloration. But mouthwash is supposed to be good for your oral health, so how could it cause stains? Not all mouthwashes do cause stains, but some varieties of mouthwash contain a chemical called chlorhexidine gluconate that can react with the tannins in tea and other drinks. You already know that tannins alone can cause stains, but this chemical causes more dramatic stains than the tannins would cause on their own.

Chlorhexidine gluconate is added to mouthwash because it's an antiseptic that fights both bacteria and plaque. If your mouth is healthy, you might want to consider using mouthwash that contains cetylpyridinium chloride instead. Cetylpyridinium chloride is another antiseptic that helps rid your mouth of bacteria and plaque without the staining side effect. However, chlorhexidine gluconate is often considered best for patients with gum disease. Talk to your dentist to find out which mouthwash is healthiest for your mouth.

Allergy Medicine

If you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, you're probably familiar with antihistamines. While antihistamines are great for relieving your allergy symptoms, they're not as great for your teeth. Unlike most foods that cause stains, antihistamines cause changes inside the tooth that lead to stains. The antihistamines affect both the enamel and the hard layer underneath the enamel, called dentin. The problem is compounded by the drying effect that antihistamines have on your mouth. Without the usual level of saliva in your mouth to wash away traces of food and beverages, the things that you eat are more likely to linger and lead to staining.

You can't just stop taking your allergy medicine, though, especially if your allergies are severe. What you can do is take the medicine in pill form rather than liquid if possible – this way, the medicine doesn't come in contact with your teeth. You can also stay hydrated – drinking extra water, especially after eating, will help wash away any remaining traces of food that might cause stains. You should also discuss the situation with your dentist and the doctor treating your allergies – there may be a prescription allergy medicine that will treat your allergy symptoms with less of an effect on your teeth.

Now you know how you can prevent these items from staining your teeth, but what about the stains you already have? Tooth whitening treatments may be the answer you're looking for. Make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in your area to find out if tooth whitening treatments are right for you.  For more information, contact a company like Willowdaile Family Dentistry.