In these days of wanting to have super white teeth, preventing your teeth from turning yellow is not an easy task.

Enamel is the hard surface that covers the outside of teeth and it is thick and translucent when you are born.

Underneath the enamel isdentin, which is yellow.

Unfortunately, enamel does not regenerate over your life, and eventually teeth become yellower

as different problems thin the enamel layer andmake the dentin layer become more visible.

Sugary sweets that you chew and hard candies that stay in your mouth, together with their high sugar content, are big problems. If it stains your tongue,

it is also staining your teeth.

Drinks: Tea, coffee, red and white wines, sports drinks, colas and other sodas stain.

Black tea is full of tannins; green tea is less likely tocause problems and is healthier as well.

Citric and phosphoric acids along with massive amounts of acidic sugar and ammonia based caramel coloring, especiallyin colas, wear down tooth enamel.

Fruits and vegetables: Although very healthy, those with bright colors such as blueberries, pomegranates, beets and others

are loaded with compounds

known as polyphenols.

Fruit Juices:

Commercial fruit juices are quite acidic.

Freshly made juices aren't

as much of a problem,

but don’t let them linger

on your teeth.

Sauces:

Tomato sauce and curries can attach to porous enamel.

Have a starter of salad greens or steamed vegetables to create a protective layer over your enamel to lessen the chance of staining.

Condiments:

Ketchup, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar are thought to contribute to teeth staining.

Smoking or chewing tobacco are obvious stainers.

Medications:

Some antibiotics can discolor teeth, especially in children. Antihistamines, drugs for high blood pressure, andanti-psychotic drugsare culprits.

Inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque are stain-producing.

Advancing age causes the outer layer of enamel to wear away, revealingthe natural yellow dentin.

Excessive fluoride can be caused by high levels in water

or from the excessive use of fluoride toothpaste, rinses, applications and supplements taken by mouth.

Irreversible enamel destruction is ascary situation, so we need to know

what we can do to slow it down.

Cut down on the effects of acidic foods and drinks by having a big sip of water after you finish your meal or drink.

Swirl it around your mouthto clear away any acids orstaining compounds.

Do not reach for your toothbrush right after eating. Weakened dental enamel becomes softer for at least half an hour.

It should harden within anhour, so you can then brushwith a soft bristledtoothbrush.

Try to get more saliva into your mouth after eating and let it move over your teeth.

Cut back or cut outsmoking and the otherstaining items

outlined above.

Consult your family dentist for teeth whitening procedures and suggestions and have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at leastevery six months.

If your teeth are not as white as they used to be, or for that matter as white you want them to be give Shumway Dental Care a call and make an appointment to see one of their Chandler AZ dentists.

Dr. Andy Shumway and his son Dr. Joel Shumway are experienced in all types of cosmetic dentistry and can tell you the best route to take to get your teeth their whitest.

Visit the website at

http://www.mychandlerdentists.com

SHUMWAY DENTAL CARE

3150 S Gilbert Rd Suite 1

Chandler, AZ 85286

(480) 420-7551