Passing The Tissue Test

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Passing The Tissue Test It seems as though you can’t turn on the television without seeing a commercial for a tooth product that “guarantees” to give you bright, white teeth. So bright, in fact, that you’ll see no difference between your teeth and a bright-white tissue!

If your teeth fail the tissue test, you’re not alone. Many people have teeth that are less-then-perfectly-white as there are many things that can cause teeth to become discolored.

Causes Of Discoloration

There are two categories of tooth discoloration; extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains. The extrinsic stains are those on the enamel surface of your tooth and can be caused by dark colored foods and beverages, such as:

  • Dark colas
  • Red wine
  • Blueberries
  • Grapes
  • Coffee
  • Tea

Smoking and chewing tobacco are two of your teeth’s biggest enemies as well.

Intrinsic stains are those that happen under the enamel, inside your tooth. Causes of these stain types include:

  • Antihistamines
  • Acne medications
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Too much fluoride
  • Certain antibiotics
  • Silver fillings

Many times, tooth discoloration can go beyond your own control and can be caused by:

  • Genetics
  • Thin tooth enamel
  • Aging
  • Poor health
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Neonatal jaundice

Prevention And Treatment

To help boost the brightness and keep your teeth as healthy as you can:

  • Brush and floss regularly
  • Stop smoking
  • Use a straw for dark beverages
  • Watch what you eat
  • Chew sugar-free gum
  • See a dentist regularly for professional cleanings

If your teeth are so discolored that you don’t smile for pictures anymore, you might want to think about taking additional steps. There are numerous treatments that your dentist can discuss with you for achieving the brightness you want. Though some of the products on the market today can give you a temporary boost, your dentist knows all of the products that really work.

We offer professional products are much stronger than anything you can buy over-the-counter. They’ll not only help you get a whiter smile, they’ll help that smile stick with you for longer.

Skip the drug-store and head right for the office. You’ll be passing the tissue-test in no time!