If you want to reduce the amount of stains that affect your teeth, we have some ideas for you to try. Most teeth look white at a distance. Even up close, they appear fairly white. The person that notices stains the most is you.

Most people have a slight yellowing to their teeth. The outer layer of your teeth is called enamel. It protects the layer underneath. This lower layer, known as dentin, is typically yellowish or even of a darker hue.

That fact alone can lead to a yellowish tint to your teeth. This is what experts call intrinsic stains. They come from the tooth itself. Other stains can enter the inside of the tooth if there are cracks, chips and decay occurring.

Another cause of intrinsic stains is the aging process. As we age, so do our teeth. The enamel can get thin and the dentin layer can show through.

Also, taking certain medications can lead to intrinsic stains; antibiotics are the usual cause.

External Tooth Stains

What can stain the enamel of the tooth? First, there is tobacco. Cigarette smoking can lead to brownish stains on the teeth from the chemicals found in the tobacco.

Juices and wines, especially those of the grape variety, can leave stains on your teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, and even grape juice, cranberry juice and, red wine can yellow your teeth over time.

Preventing Tooth Stains

Now that you know some of the reasons why you may have less than white glistening teeth, you can help yourself by learning to avoid these stains, if you can:

* Stop smoking. This one is going to take you some time, as quitting is not exactly an easy process, but not only is smoking a danger to your internal health, it also will lead to darker teeth.

* Drink beverages that can stain your teeth through a straw. It might not look chic drinking wine through a straw, but you can also limit the amount of red wine that you drink or switch to white wine. As for juices and soft drinks, drinking through a straw keeps the contact with your teeth to a minimum.

* Brush regularly. Daily brushing and flossing can prevent the build-up of foods on the teeth that can stain them. Also, flossing helps remove foods that lead to plaque around the base of the tooth. Plaque that is stained is even more visible than when the enamel of the tooth is stained.

* Use dental stain removers. This can be whitening treatments or stain-removing toothpaste. Be careful with some of the toothpastes on the market for stains, which can contain abrasives that possibly do more damage than good.