Foods That Turn Your Teeth Yellow

There are foods that dull the whiteness of your teeth, making them look yellow. With that in mind, we want to give you a list of some of the foods that make your teeth yellow.

Lemons and Other Acidic Foods

People often put lemon in their water and eat healthy foods that are high in acid. While they are very good for you, they are not good for your teeth. The acid can eat away at the enamel slowly exposing yellow tinged dentin.

Orthodontics in Atlanta and Marietta, GA

Coffee, Tea and Soda

Whether you drink coffee, tea or soft drinks, you are at risk of them dulling or yellowing your teeth. Coffee and tea have tannins in them that discolor teeth. They also alter the pH balance in your mouth which can speed up the damage from acidic foods you eat.

Dark Berries

Remember seeing the commercials about how dark berries stain dentures? Well, the same thing applies to your teeth primarily because of the pigment in them. However, dark berries have strong health benefits. If you indulge, just be sure to brush your teeth immediately after.

Wine

Whether red or white, wine causes teeth to lose their whiteness. With red wines, those pesky little tannins get hold of your teeth and discolor just like they do with coffee. White wine is more acidic which eats away at the enamel. This causes substances to stick to those pockets leading to discoloration from other foods along with making your teeth look discolored. This doesn’t mean you have to stop drinking wine altogether; you just need to maintain moderation (but you knew that).

Candy and Sweets

We preach and preach to our patients about the negative effects of candy and other sugary treats, so there is really no reason to go into detail. While a lot of foods offer a variety of health benefits, candy and sweets provide none, so it is best to simply avoid them. And, on those occasions where you just “need something sweet,” brush and floss as soon as you can so the sugar doesn’t sit on your teeth.

How to Prevent Yellow Teeth

Even though foods can cause your teeth to yellow or lead to tooth decay, there are steps you can take to prevent yellow teeth. For most people, it all goes back to brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Luckily, when yellow teeth just happen, we have advanced treatments to whiten teeth.

If you are interested in finding out more about how to whiten your teeth or need a new dentist, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

January 11, 2018January 22, 2024

The Best Ways to Care for Your Teeth With Braces

Braces create many pockets for harmful plaque buildup. Even though patients visit with Dr. Marc S. Wright once a month, regular oral hygiene is really a responsibility of the patient. In order to maintain and properly clean your teeth, it requires daily dedication. There’s no doubt that keeping your mouth clean and healthy will guarantee a mouth full of shining, straight teeth when your braces are removed. Follow these simple steps from Dr. Marc S. Wright to avoid discoloration and cavities during your orthodontic treatment.

Brush After Every Meal

If you can keep food from getting stuck in the natural crevices of the teeth, you are more likely to avoid the buildup of plaque. At Wright Orthodontics we recommend brushing your teeth after each meal to dislodge bits of food from between your teeth and brackets. When brushing, make sure to focus on all the surfaces of your teeth, from front and back to top and bottom. Brush for at least two minutes and spend most of your time focusing on the hard to reach places in the very back of your mouth. If brushing causes you pain Dr. Marc S. Wright recommends investing in toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Use an Interdental Toothbrush

Your toothbrush will likely need replacing more often when you begin brushing with braces. We often recommend our patients purchase an interdental toothbrush, which can make it easier to get between your brackets and in hard to reach places.

Floss Twice Per Day

At the very minimum, you should brush and floss twice per day – regardless of whether or not you are an orthodontic patient. However, flossing is more important than ever when you are wearing braces. Many of our patients find that floss threaders or floss picks make it easier to get between your teeth than standard string floss. While flossing, pay attention to getting the floss under your gum line on both sides of your tooth, then massage between your teeth and gums to dislodge any lingering bacteria or plaque. You may choose to rinse with water or an oral rinse with fluoride. Fluoride is your best friend while wearing braces; not only does it prevent cavities, but it can reduce the chances of staining.

See a Professional Regularly

Finally, the most important step in maintaining your oral health while wearing braces is to attend regular checkups with your orthodontist. At Wright Orthodontics, your health and comfort are our top priorities. Dr. Marc S. Wright will work with you to make sure you get the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment.

Although paying so much attention to brushing and flossing might sound cumbersome, the majority of our patients find the more they pay attention to their oral hygiene routine, the less work brushing and flossing becomes. If you keep your mouth clean, brushing will be a breeze.

Contact us at Wright Orthodontics today at our Atlanta or Marietta office to learn more about keeping your braces clean and our full service orthodontic treatments.

January 31, 2017January 22, 2024

National Children’s Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? The observance of this important health concern during the month of February is to bring dedicated dental professionals, health care professionals, educators and the community together to understand the importance and benefits of good oral health. Whether you’ve got a brand new bundle of joy or are managing a child in the thick of adolescence, it never hurts to brush up on the latest in oral healthcare for kids. Here are some quick tips to help your child’s oral health:

It’s never too early to start good oral hygiene habits
- Did you know even an infant without teeth can benefit from having their gums gently cleaned with water soaked gauze or clean, damp washcloth?
- When your baby does get teeth, it’s important to brush them gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush using a thin smear of fluoride toothpaste
- Your child’s first dentist appointment should be around the first birthday and established regularly
- Three is the recommended age to begin teaching your child normal brushing techniques, with a small pea-sized dollop of paste
You can avoid excess or prolonged consumption of sugar
- When you consume sugar, the bacteria process it into acid which damages tooth enamel and leads to cavities
- Reducing sugary snacks and keeping only water in baby bottles at night is the best way to reduce sugar-related tooth decay
Prevention of dental accidents is possible
- For small children, it’s important to make your home a safe place through childproofing because over half of dental injuries to primary teeth are a result of playing near home furniture
- Ensure kids that are highly active, in contact sports or other activities have the appropriate oral protection gear
Fluoridated water can protect kids’ teeth
- It’s wise to ensure that your water supply contains fluoride, and, if not, talk to your dentist about supplementing through toothpaste, oral rinses, and food

Your child’s dental professional is a partner in health care. There to help prevent disease, lookout for cavities, and watch out for developmental issues, you should always be able to ask important dental questions. Dr. Marc S. Wright is here to help you with all your questions whether it’s your child’s oral health or your own. Call us today!