Do you have teeth that are a different color than the others? You may be suffering from teeth discoloration caused by a vitamin deficiency. This is a common issue and can often be fixed with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.
If you are experiencing teeth discoloration, it is essential to see your doctor to determine the cause. Many times, you can correct this with some simple dietary changes. However, if teeth discoloration is due to a more serious health condition, it is vital to get treated immediately. The good news is that tooth discoloration caused by a deficiency is usually reversible. Your teeth should return to their white color once the underlying health problem has been addressed.
Common Vitamin Deficiencies That Affect Your Smile
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium is one of the essential vitamins for your dental health. It helps teeth and bones remain strong and healthy, and it prevents jaw bone deterioration teeth from becoming brittle or yellowing with age. A calcium deficiency can lead to teeth discoloration as well as tooth loss. However, this type of vitamin deficiency is rare because most people get plenty of calcium through their diet. Some good ways to consume calcium are dairy products and leafy greens.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in teeth and gum health. It helps you eliminate the bacteria that cause plaque buildup, leading to discolored teeth over time. If you have tooth stains or your gums appear redder than usual, it could be due to a lack of vitamin B12. This deficiency is more common in people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency include weakness, fatigue, and numbness in the hands and feet. An excellent way to avoid a lack of B12 is to incorporate it into your diet. Good sources of B12 are animal products such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy.
Vitamin D Deficiency
When you have a vitamin D deficiency, it is harder for your body to absorb calcium and puts you at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and cavities. Vitamin D and calcium work together to keep your tooth enamel strong and smile healthy. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies in the United States. You can quickly correct it by upping your vitamin D levels by including salmon, cod liver oil, tuna in your diet, daily sunlight exposure, or taking supplements.
How to Prevent Teeth Discoloration Due to Vitamin Deficiency
If you are experiencing teeth discoloration, it is essential to see your doctor to determine the cause. Usually, you can correct this with some simple dietary changes. However, if stained teeth are due to a more serious health condition, it is crucial to get treated immediately. If you are experiencing a vitamin deficiency, there are some things that you can do to prevent discoloration and other health problems.
- Eating a balanced diet that includes various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Take a multivitamin every day
- Take other supplements specific to your deficiency
- Drink plenty of water each day
- Exercise regularly
Other Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Poor Dental Hygiene
If you do not practice good dental hygiene, teeth discoloration can occur over time, and this is because plaque and bacteria can build up on your teeth and cause them to become stained. The number one way to prevent this is by brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using an antibacterial mouthwash.
Foods and Beverages
Eating foods or consuming drinks that stain teeth are some of the most common causes. Things like black tea, red wine, coffee, soy sauce, tomatoes, and beets are the most common culprits. Such foods should be limited, or you should prioritize brushing your teeth right after consumption.
Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco are known to cause teeth discoloration. The chemicals in cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco can cause teeth stains over time and cause oral cancer. If you are a smoker or chew tobacco, it is vital to limit your consumption as much as possible.
Maintaining Good Dental Health: Expert Advice
Even if you do not have teeth discoloration caused by a vitamin deficiency, it is imperative to practice good oral hygiene habits. Here are some tips for keeping your teeth healthy and your smile bright:
Brush Your Teeth
Brush teeth twice daily, morning and night. Use fluoride toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) to help remove plaque buildup on teeth. It would be best if you also flossed once every day before going to sleep at night or after eating sugary foods such as candy bars or ice cream cones.
Floss Daily
Flossing is one of the most important things that you can do for your natural teeth, and it helps remove plaque and bacteria from teeth and gums that lead to cavities and gum disease.
Avoid Sugar
Sugar is terrible for teeth and can cause plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease. Avoid eating sugary foods and drinks such as candy bars, cake, cookies, soda, and sports drinks.
Drink Water
Drink a glass of water after eating sugary foods or drinks. This will help wash away the sugar and bacteria from teeth, leading to cavities and gum disease. It is also recommended that you drink eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and healthy.
Receive Professional Dental Cleanings
You should see your dentist every six months for a check-up and teeth cleaning. This will help remove any plaque or tartar that has built up on teeth, and it can help catch problems such as cavities early on so they can be treated before irreversible damage has been done.
Treatment Options for Teeth Discoloration at DNA Dental
We are dedicated to helping you maintain healthy teeth and keeping tooth discoloration at bay. If you have any questions about teeth whitening, discoloration, or our services, we will be happy to answer them. At DNA Dental, we want the best for you and your oral health, so give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (214)-295-9270.
