Dentist Warns People About The Key Mistake That Causes Teeth To Turn Yellow

Discolored teeth are a sore spot for so many across the globe, with some often taking all the dental care measures possible to avoid them.

A dentist has shared a common mistake people often make that can lead to yellow or discolored teeth — but not to fret, it is easily avoidable!

A study found a little under half of people are dissatisfied with their teeth

A study conducted in 2018 by Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors reported that 47% of participants got some form of cosmetic surgery done, including procedures like tooth whitening. 

As reported by dentistry.co.uk, the sample size for the study was 666 people. 

Many people are unhappy with their teeth

Moreover, it is reported that 40% of British people are unhappy with the way their teeth look, making the appearance of dentals a serious concern for a large number of the population.

A dentist in the UK has commented on discolored teeth.

The doctor revealed what causes them

The British-based dentist, Dr. Ferakh Hamid, shared the main reason — or rather mistake — that people end up with discolored teeth, and it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Dr. Hamid has 20 years of experience in the field and is the head of Aesthetique Dental Care.

The secret is wetting the toothbrush

The professional dentist stated that applying toothpaste to a dry toothbrush could cause more harm to the teeth than one might expect. 

The right way to go about brushing your teeth is wetting the toothbrush before applying the toothpaste onto it.

The water acts as a lubricant

Adding water onto the toothbrush allows for a healthy lubricant between your teeth and the toothpaste, in the absence of which your teeth may be more likely to get stained.

The water helps the toothpaste spread better in the mouth.

And watch out for those acids

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In talking with the Daily Mail, Dr. Hamid said, “Brushing your teeth in certain ways, like without water or right after eating acidic foods, might actually make them look less white over time.”

Examples of some acidic foods and drinks are meat, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and alcohol.

He further explained the water thing

He continued, “Dry brushing might seem good for getting rid of surface stains at first, but without water, toothpaste doesn’t spread well.”

“When you wet the bristles, they soften up. This means when you brush, it’s gentler on your gums and teeth, helping avoid any irritation and damage,” he said.

Another dentist concurred about the acidic food thing

Another doctor from Columbia University, Dr. Ezzard Rolle, echoed Dr. Hamid’s advice: “We definitely recommend holding off on brushing after consuming anything acidic, whether it’s fruit, soda, juice, or sour candy.”

“The reason for that is that when acids are in the mouth, they weaken the enamel of the tooth, which is the outer layer of the tooth,” he said.

It all comes back to water

Dr. Rolle continued to advise, “After eating or drinking something acidic, I always recommend rinsing with or drinking water, which starts the remineralisation process of the enamel.”

He also advised brushing at a 45-degree angle to the gums when it comes to it.

Dr. Rolle also added some general dental advice

“Ideally, you would brush and floss after each meal, but that may not be very realistic for people with busy jobs or hectic schedules,” he said. 

He continued, “So we recommend at least brushing and flossing twice a day, and ideally one of those times will be before bed.”

Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by Rachel Backland