Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons:

Food and Drink

Coffee, tea and red wine are some major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense color pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel).

Tobacco Use

Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: Tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark. Nicotine is colorless until it’s mixed with oxygen. Then, it turns into a yellowish, surface-staining substance.

Age

Below the hard, white outer shell of your teeth (enamel) is a softer area called dentin. Over time, the outer enamel layer gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.

Trauma

If you’ve been hit in the mouth, your tooth may change color because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel.

Medications

Tooth darkening can be a side effect of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming (either in the womb or as a baby) may have discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken teeth.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.

Bad breath, we all know what it is and we’ve all been embarrassed by our own from time to time. But what causes it?

Knowing and understanding what causes bad breath can help you prevent it and the embarrassment that often accompanies it. Read on to learn more about what causes bad breath and quit being afraid of getting close.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Also called halitosis, bad breath can be caused by a number of issues.

Food. Some of the foods we eat can give us temporary bad breath. Garlic, onions, coffee, spicy or fragrant foods can leave your mouth less than fresh. Brush your teeth, chew sugar-free gum, or use mouthwash for a burst of freshness.

• Tobacco. Smoking and tobacco use not only cause bad breath, but they can also create oral cancers, stain teeth and irritate your gums. Consider a tobacco-free lifestyle to reduce the negative effects.
• Dental issues. Bad breath can be caused by dental issues such as gum disease or cavities. Crowded teeth or ill-fitting dental appliances can also cause bad breath. See your dentist rule out any oral care issues as a culprit.
• Bacteria. Without proper brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, bacteria are not being removed from your mouth. The build-up of these sticky bacteria can lead to bad breath. By following the ADA recommendation of brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and routine visits to the dentist, you can keep bacteria in check.
• Dry mouth. Lack of saliva creates dry mouth, which may be a side effect of medications, smoking, or mouth breathing or it could be a symptom of an underlying health concern. Talk to your dentist about dry mouth for the best remedies for both dry mouth and resulting bad breath.
• Disease. Sinus infections, tonsillitis, respiratory issues and even diabetes can result in bad breath. Your doctor may prescribe medication for these conditions which may make the dry mouth, and resulting in bad breath worse. Talk to your doctor if your side effects are problematic.

Addressing Bad Breath

In order to address bad breath, you need to understand what’s causing it. The best way to discover the underlying reason for bad breath is by being honest about your lifestyle and habits with both your dentist and doctor to create the best approach to getting rid of bad breath.

Many times bad breath can be avoided by living a tobacco-free life, keeping a good oral health care routine (brushing twice a day and flossing daily) and of course seeing your dentist at least twice a year.