Learn More About Teeth Whitening and the Cause of Teeth Staining
Author: Jenna Smith
We all are gifted with dazzling teeth till they become stained and start discoloring with increasing age or excessive use of nicotine and caffeine. The outermost covering of teeth, enamel, protects our teeth from various trauma and acid attacks due to the effects of different foods. But the enamel gradually starts decaying, contributing to the discoloring of the teeth, revealing the inner dentin which is yellow in color. Thus at the end, we are left with ugly and discolored teeth. To avoid this situation, it is necessary to educate ourselves more about the causes of tooth staining.
Old age comes with a lot of health problems and teeth discoloration is one of them. It has been predominantly seen in old age people as compared to young ones. Teeth whitening kits work more effectively and immediately for teenagers. But as the age increases, it requires more effort to fix the discoloration. It has been detected that people who used the whitening kits in their twenties fail to get the quick result unlike teenagers. Till twenties, it is the yellow color of the teeth that troubles the most. But in forties, the brown color takes the place of yellow which looks nastier. Shockingly, in fifties, stains become more obdurate which become very difficult to eradicate.
Diet plays an important role in eroding the enamel. Continuous intake of coffee, tea, cola, red wine, carrots, oranges, and other dark-colored food and beverages contributes to extensive staining. Additionally, acidic food like citrus fruits and vinegar intensifies the process of enamel erosion. Therefore, the upper layer of the teeth become more transparent exposing the yellow-colored dentin layer.
Smoking invites tooth discoloration along with fatal diseases. Cigarette contains nicotine that imparts brownish deposits which gradually soak into the teeth structure and finally results in staining. Chewing tobacco leaves also has the same effect on teeth.
Drugs in many cases cause tooth damage. Both illegal as well as prescription drugs cause tooth damage. Medicines like Aspirin, Antihistamines, Asthma drugs, and Syrups have a bad effect on teeth. Continuous use of illegal drugs such as Cocaine, Crack cocaine, Ecstasy, Methamphetamine, and Heroin also strongly help cause tooth decay. Chemicals like fluoride found in many tooth pastes and water supplies cause white or discolored spot on the teeth surface through fluorosis.
Teeth grinding facilitates micro-cracking in the teeth and even causes the biting edges to darken. It is generally caused by gashing and bruxing. Sometimes injury caused by sudden accident creates crack in the teeth which eventually collect stains and debris in large quantity.
It is surprising that sometimes even dental treatments cause discoloration. White fillings of the teeth have been commonly reported to experience staining. Though not directly visible, metal fillings too assist in discoloration of the teeth.
Naturally, we all are born with teeth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey. Over the years, the color pattern changes due to the interference of physical and chemical agents. We can easily avoid discoloration if we take a little care of our teeth.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/learn-more-about-teeth-whitening-and-the-cause-of-teeth-staining-1763907.html
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We offer information on the problems and solutions regarding the different teeth whitening techniques. And more about the pros and cons of teeth whitening.
[TEMPLATE]cannibis[/TEMPLATE]
Wisdom teeth have rotted out due to immense dental phobia – suggestions?
So: the last time I went to the dentist was almost 15 years ago (late childhood). I’ve (apparently) got deep-seated dental phobia; the closest I’ve been to a dentist since was picking up my wife from an appointment – I had a panic attack in the waiting room, and hid out in the car until she was done. I’ve got some issues there – though I’ve met a lot of folks who say they don’t like the dentist, mine is the bite-my-tongue-until-it-bleeds panic attack kind of craziness). In the mean time, I brush often, floss, and have stopped smoking; but that’s it – and my wisdom teeth are gone. They’re pretty much empty sockets. I know lots of folks have painful wisdom teeth, and mine hurt – LOTS – but I just gutted through it, and their cavitation, and then their falling apart. I literally chewed / ground them down and have let them turn into empty holes. I’ve also got some cavities starting the the molars nearby.
I realize I’ll probably need to see a psychologist first – I spok briefly with a dental assistant who said the dentist could give me a Valium or similar med after a consultation, but I didn’t even follow up on that conversation – again, due to extreme fear nearing blackout – (all this craziness even though the dental person was on the phone, I know seems absurd – and I’m embarrassed to admit it). I’m actually breaking into a sweat just writing this. But my mouth is telling me things are going to come to a head (ha-ha… ugh) soon – so – where to go from here? Besides the dentist thing, which I gather is a common phobia, I’ve got no issues, but the level of my fear on this is flight-or-fight response…. I literally freak out just thinking about the issue. Any suggestions greatly appreciated; I’m afraid my skull may fall apart if I don’t find a way to address these issues…
Try to find a dentist’s office that makes it less nerve-racking for you. The dentist that I just started going to will let you watch tv while they are doing work, turn on a massaging chair, or give you a hand massage. It’s a lot easier to go to the dentist when you have things like that to calm you down.
Isnt valium used to make you throw up if you drink alcohol?
Maybe I am confusing it with something else. I was recently suggested (in another question I asked) to take valium to help ease up my teeth grinding.
I looked it up on google, and it also helps for insomnia, which I also have, so that’s a plus.
But doesn’t it make you sick for drinking alcohol? For some reason in my brain when I think valium I think something about alcohol, but I cant remember what…
When I say make you sick I mean on purpose. Like for people that are alcoholics they take it so they dont relapse. Either way is it okay to drink alcohol on valium?
Wait. So valium+alcohol=dangerous.
*but*
valium+marijuana=okay.
Correct?
It is a sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant, and can be used to treat anxiety. It is not safe to drink alcohol while you are taking it because the valium can potentiate the effects of the alcohol which could range from a mild increase in the effects to putting you into a coma, or even death. There is also a risk of liver damage if you combine the two. It is used to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and can reduce associated tremors and hallucinations. I think you are confusing it with antabuse, which is used as a last resort as a deterrant to drinking in patients dealing with alcohol addiction, and can produce violent illness, including vomiting, if you drink while taking it.
Can I take both of these medicines, or will they cause problems interacting?
I want to start taking Valium because I grind my teeth at night, and at this rate I’m soon going to be all gums!! Last night I ground them TERRIBLY, and today they hurt really bad, so that’s why I’m asking this now. My whole jaw is sore too, from clenching it…..
I also take Celexa (anti-depressant), can I take both of these, or will it cause problems?
What if I switched to Zoloft. Would it cause problems?
Man, the answers are just rolling in… [sarcasm]
I have also heard that Valium is addictive… is that true?
Hey Mulie!!
I got a mouth guard fitted for my teeth and everything at the dentist, but only after a couple months I ground a hole in it….. lol.
Someone told me Valium would help, so thats why I thought I should start taking it….
I’m already taking the Celexa.
Valium is addictive with long term use, and withdrawal can be severe. You have a long term problem that a drug like Valium is inappropriate to use, since it is addictive. So whether or not Valium is compatible with Celexa is not the issue. I’m posting information on sleep bruxism, which is what you describe, so I hope you read through it.
I would, in the meantime, use the mouth guards to prevent damage to your tissues, and just plan to replace them as needed. There are various treament options which are presented in the link I’m posting. Valium is not something you should be considering, and I wouldn’t think much of any doctor who would prescribe it to you for this condition.
http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/bruxism.html
If medicine doesn’t work to unlock jaw, what do you think I should do?
So i’m taking just 2 mg. of valium for my jaw because I have tmj problems and it’s been locked. But the medicine isn’t really working. I’m going to get a night guard soon because I grind my teeth during night and that’s what causes it. Will that help me? Or do you think the dentist would tell me to take more of the medicine?
“Dr.” Albert,
you are doing a disservice to people on this forum by recommending the NTi appliance as a shot gun approach to TMJ disorders. Your constant recommendations of the NTi appliance to people with clicking, popping, and locked out condyles is potentially HARMFUL. It is obvious that you know very little about TMJ and its treatment. All you seem to know is that the NTI appliance is some miracle appliance that solves all TMJ disorders – IT’S NOT!! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing…
Also, proper netiqette is NOT TO SHOUT ALL THE TIME. IT’S ANNOYING.