Why are my teeth turning grey?

Why are my teeth turning yellow?

• Lately my teeth have been getting this gross thick yellow stain on them. It's really hard to get off, I have to scrape it off. I brush and floss my teeth twice a day with toothpaste. I havn't been eating anything weird and I'm used to my teeth being kind of yellow since I drink alot of coffee. But I've never had this nasty stuff on them before. I don't smoke either. Since I've used whitening strips I tried them again. They didn't get as white as they did the first time and my teeth went back to the yellow color in about 3 days. The last time I used them they were white for about 6 months. What is going on?

• Answer:

  Tartar is hardened plaque, which forms when bacteria, food particles, and mineral salts harden onto your teeth. If you have tartar build-up, it's easy to spot - it looks like a hard yellow or brown coating, which feels rough to the touch. Aside from being unattractive, it's a major contributor to bad breath, and the leading cause of periodontal disease and resulting tooth loss. While the best and most efficient way to remove tartar is to go to your dental hygienist for a cleaning, there are several ways that you can tackle tartar yourself at home. Keep in mind that really tough tartar will need the help of ultrasonic tools and sharp tools and scrappers, and that means a dental visit is a must. Of course, the best way to remove tartar is to prevent it from happening in the first place, so some tips are also included on how to prevent a recurrence. Step 1 Use an ultrasonic instrument every 6 months. This is generally the first tool a dental hygienist will use to remove tartar. Cleaning with an ultrasonic tool should be done every 6 months for best results, and must be done by a professional or it can damage the underlaying dentin of the teeth. The trick is to keep the brush moving, knocking off the tartar. Step 2 Use scalers and curettes (hand tools). These are small hand tools that basically assist in scraping the teeth clean, particularly around the gum line. The trick is to scrap gently but consistently, so more pressure isn't advisable. This is also done by a dental professional to avoid damage to the teeth. However, these tools are available, and you can technically buy them and use them at home. The above procedures ought to have removed most, if not all, the tartar. Once the tartar is removed, it's on to prevention... Step 3 Floss well. One of the best things you can do to prevent tartar is to floss regularly. This helps get rid of stringy foods that get caught and quickly harden into tartar. Use the C method, looping the floss like the letter C around each tooth, paying attention to those with wider gaps, and those in the front. If you have difficulty reaching certain spots, like the molars, consider buying a personal floss device. There are even tartar control flosses available. Another alternative is a water pick, which helps to clean in between teeth by forcing water through the openings. This can be sore if you have cold sensitive teeth! Step 4 Brush regularly. Ideally, you should brush after each meal, but in practice very few people due this. Aim to brush at least twice a day, at the minimum. Be sure to brush for a full 2 minutes - wimpy brushing doesn't count! If you are ever caught without toothpaste, using a bit of baking soda is just as good as many commercial preparations. Even brushing without toothpaste is better than skipping completely. Step 5 Use an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes do a lot of the brushing work for you, and they can reach places that are harder to reach with most hand held toothbrushes. Aside from getting a good cleaning, these are also fun to use, making them a good toothbrush for resistant brushers. Step 6 Use a mouthwash. Because tartar is a result of built up and hardened bacteria and mineral salts, a good mouthwash can be very effective at preventing it's occurrence. Consider the use of Listerine or other mouthwashes, especially before bed. Step 7 Be especially diligent at night. Don't skip brushing your teeth at night! That will give the bacteria in your mouth 8 hours in which to harden, and you'll regret it. In fact, if you only brush once a day, the best time to do it is just before bed. Step 8 Pick the right toothpaste. Many new studies indicate that tartar control toothpaste doesn't actually fix tartar. It simply helps to prevent new tartar from forming. Tartar control toothpastes have also gotten a bad rap for wearing down tooth enamel. The best toothpaste is one which offers long term bacteria fighting protection, such as Colgate 12-hour protection, or similar brands. Toothpastes which include zinc citrate are often recommended. Step 9 Make some lifestyle changes. Heavy drinking, and eating large amounts of sugar are all thought to contribute to tartar. If you are a person with a genetic predisposition to tartar build up, you may need to steer clear of these vices. Read more: How to Remove Tartar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5157621_remove-tartar.html#ixzz0vOUsqhvp