You probably already know that brushing your teeth is the best way to keep them healthy, stain-free, and cavity-free. But it’s not always easy to stay on top of your dental hygiene game, which is why those bright blue toothbrush handles and neon green mouthwash cameos in your daily life are so helpful. For instance, what is that white stuff on your teeth? If you’re wondering about the exact same thing, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for answers to your questions about that white stuff on teeth.
What Is The White Stuff On My Teeth?
The white stuff on your teeth is called plaque. Plaque is a soft white or yellowish deposit that forms on your teeth, underneath your gum line, causing dental cavities and gum disease. How do you know you have plaque on your teeth? If teeth are feeling rough and sticky to the touch, they are most likely covered in plaque.
Why Do You Have White Stuff On Your Teeth?
1. You’re Brushing Too Hard
When you brush too vigorously, you can actually cause wear and tear on your teeth. When that happens, your tooth enamel can become damaged, and the protective barrier is stripped off, leaving your tooth more susceptible to bacterial growth. If you have a particularly hard-to-clean area in your mouth, try brushing less vigorously on that part of the mouth to avoid damaging it. You can also try switching to a softer toothbrush to avoid causing damage to your teeth and gums. If you have a toothbrush that’s worn down, consider replacing it. Experts recommend changing your toothbrush every three months, or sooner if it becomes frayed. And don’t forget to brush with fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth healthy, and clean, and fight cavities.
2. You Have Bad Breath
Bad breath (also known as halitosis) is a common issue that can affect anyone. It’s estimated that 80% of people have bad breath at some point. While it may be caused by a number of factors such as diet, your oral hygiene could very well be the culprit. Bad breath can be a sign that your gums are infected, that you have an excess plaque on your teeth, or that you aren’t cleaning your teeth properly. If you have bad breath, try cleaning your teeth extra thoroughly and making sure you’re brushing them for the correct amount of time, as well as flossing regularly to see if that solves the problem. If your breath continues to be problematic, you may want to talk to your dentist about it, as there may be a more serious underlying cause.
3. Your Teeth Are Stained
Tooth discoloration, also known as tooth staining, is a common issue that affects many people. It has many causes, including genetics, aging, certain medications, and eating certain foods. It can also be caused by not cleaning your teeth thoroughly, which leads to plaque buildup, as well as drinking excessive amounts of coffee, tea, and soda, which can leave a dark residue on your teeth. If you notice your teeth are stained, try brushing your teeth more thoroughly and flossing daily to remove the bacteria that cause staining. If your teeth are still stained after following a thorough oral hygiene routine, see your dentist. They can recommend a teeth-whitening treatment to remove the discoloration.
4. Your Oral Health Is Poor
If you’ve been neglecting your oral hygiene, your teeth and gums might be more susceptible to infection and disease. Poor oral health is characterized by bad breath, gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, and teeth that are more easily broken or sensitive. While there are many causes of poor oral health, the most common is plaque buildup. If your oral hygiene habits have slipped, it’s time to clean up your act. Make sure you’re brushing your teeth thoroughly and using floss, as well as making regular trips to the dentist for cleanings and checkups. If you’re still having issues with poor oral health, talk to your dentist about how you can improve your situation.
How To Get Rid Of The White Stuff On Teeth?
-
Change Your Diet and Oral Care Routine
You never know, the reason behind your stained teeth could be something as simple as brushing too hard or not flossing regularly. In fact, changing your diet and dental hygiene habits are often helpful in getting rid of stubborn stains. There are many foods rich in antioxidants that can help remove stains from your teeth and gums. Examples of such foods are strawberries, blueberries, oranges, lemon, broccoli, and grapefruit. If possible, eat them fresh because they are more effective. If you really want to get rid of those stains and whiten your teeth, you should change your eating habits and your oral hygiene routine. Start eating more fruits and vegetables, drink water, and limit coffee, cola, and alcohol intake.
-
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professionally administered teeth whitening is the best way to get rid of stains caused by excessive coffee or tobacco use. It is effective, cheap, and can be done in a single hour. If you want to get rid of stubborn stains, you should consider going for a professional teeth whitening treatment. The results are long-lasting, and you can maintain your smile for several years. There are various types of teeth whitening treatments such as in-office teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening. Take-home teeth whitening is one of the most effective teeth whitening treatments. If you have sensitive teeth, you should go for teeth whitening treatments that use low-concentration carbamide peroxide.
-
Natural Home Remedies
If you want to get rid of teeth stains without spending a fortune on teeth whitening kits, you should try some natural home remedies. There are plenty of ingredients that are effective against teeth stains. You can use baking soda, lemon, orange peel, strawberries, cinnamon, and peppermint for natural teeth whitening. To get the best results, you should use a combination of these ingredients. To get rid of teeth stains using baking soda, you should mix it with a little bit of water and apply it to your teeth. Leave it on until it gets dry and brush your teeth after that. To get rid of teeth stains using lemon, you should squeeze the juice out of a lemon and apply it to your teeth. Leave it on until it dries out, and then brush your teeth.
How To Prevent The White Stuff From Coming Back?
1. Visit your dentist regularly
Visiting your dentist for regular checkups is the best way to prevent white stuff from coming back. During these visits, your dentist will closely examine your teeth and look for signs of decay or any other potential issues. For best results, visit your dentist every six months, or at the very least once a year. What happens if you wait too long to visit your dentist? You could end up with more serious problems than simple cavities. Untreated cavities can spread and cause more serious dental issues, like tooth loss. If you’re worried about the cost of regular dental checkups, don’t be! Many dental insurance plans cover preventive dental checkups and cleanings, and some even cover the cost of oral surgery and other treatments that may be required if you have a dental infection. You may have to pay a small copayment, but it’s likely more affordable than having to pay for major dental work that could result from a simple cavity!
2. Use fluoride toothpaste
One of the best ways to prevent white stuff from coming back is to use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth and promotes strong, healthy teeth and gums. You can find fluoride in both regular toothpaste and toothpaste made for people with braces. Whether you have braces or not, brushing your teeth with toothpaste with fluoride can help prevent white stuff from coming back. To get the most out of your fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Be sure to brush the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush to maximize fluoride’s protective properties.
3. Use dental sealants
If you had a cavity as a kid, then you may have undergone treatment to seal off the affected area and prevent white stuff from coming back. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth (often the molars, premolars, and the back teeth). Dental sealants work by preventing food from sticking to the teeth and creating an environment where bacteria can thrive. If you had a cavity as a child, consider getting a sealant for any teeth that are still affected. Sealants can last up to 10 years and are very affordable. If you’re worried about getting dental sealants as an adult, don’t worry! They’re just as effective for adults as they are for children.
Bottom line
If you see a white or yellow coating on your teeth, you’re not necessarily in trouble. This could be a sign of a calcium deposit, bad breath, or tooth decay. If you’re worried, it’s best to visit your dentist. A dental hygienist can clean your teeth and determine if you need to be concerned about any of these issues.