Whether you have an upcoming date, you plan to speak before a crowd of people or interview for a new job, the appearance of your teeth can play a huge role in your effectiveness. In fact, studies show that most people will have a fixed and lasting image within the first three seconds of seeing you. That’s a small window of time that makes a huge impact. So if you have teeth stains, it can place you at a disadvantage. What causes this issue, and can anything be done about it? Your dentist in Hackettstown has the answers you need!

What Causes Teeth Stains?

The first step to counteracting teeth stains is to understand where they come from. Here are some of the usual suspects:

• Poor oral hygiene habits
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Tooth trauma early in life that goes unaddressed
• Certain medications, such as those for hypertension and chemotherapy, as well as antihistamines
• Consuming highly pigmented foods and beverages like soy sauce, dark berries, wine, tea and coffee

The good news is that along with you making any necessary lifestyle changes, your dentist can help you overcome any stains or discoloration.

Lifestyle Changes You Can Make

There are some basic actions you can take to combat and prevent any further staining or discoloration. This should include brushing and flossing at least twice daily. Brushing will help to remove the bulk of any food or beverage debris that could settle into your enamel to cause stains to develop. Still, it has its limitations, as a toothbrush can’t get into the tight spaces between your teeth. To accommodate this, there is flexible dental floss. By flossing after every session of toothbrushing, you can cover more area and see better results.

Maintaining a balanced diet will also aid in preventing unwanted stains. In general, you should consume foods and beverages that are lower in sugar. This will help to prevent the accumulation of bacteria that could eventually stain the teeth. Additionally, it helps to drink water after eating or consuming a beverage to assist in flushing away any lingering particles.

If your efforts are unsuccessful, a local dentist can still help you out.

How Teeth Stains Can be Treated

Here are two highly-effective methods for addressing teeth stains:

• KoR Teeth Whitening – Especially helpful for patients with sensitive teeth, and is considered the most effective at-home teeth whitening treatment available
• Zoom! Laser Whitening – An in-office process that uses hydrogen peroxide gel and ultraviolet light to lift deep stains embedded in the enamel

When you visit a “dentist near me” to undergo an examination, you can determine which method of beautifying your teeth will be the best. Whichever route you choose, though, you can expect to see phenomenal results and a boost in your confidence!

About the Author

Dr. Arindam Kakkar is a graduate of NYU, College of Dentistry. He has since gone on to provide over a decade of superb dental care. Dr. Kakkar understands the toll that an unattractive smile can have on a person’s self-esteem, which is why he offers only the most effective methods of teeth whitening at Skylands Dental of New Jersey. He can be reached for more information through his website.