How to remove stains on teeth at-home

Dr. Ellie Phillips
14 Jul 202414:59

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into tooth staining, distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic stains. It explains how intrinsic stains are inherent from tooth eruption due to enamel issues or early childhood factors, while extrinsic stains result from poor oral hygiene and prolonged acidic exposure. The speaker advocates for a complete mouth care system, including fluoride and proper brushing techniques, to enhance tooth mineralization and prevent decay. The importance of developing a healthy biofilm for protection against staining is highlighted, along with the risks of artificial whitening. The narrative is supported by real-life examples, emphasizing that anyone can improve their teeth's health and color at any age with the right approach.

Takeaways

  • 🦷 Intrinsic Staining: Stains are built within the tooth from the time they erupt, possibly due to enamel formation issues or exposure to certain substances during childhood.
  • 👶 Age Consideration: Permanent teeth are more susceptible to staining and decay during the first year as they are porous and still absorbing necessary minerals.
  • 👶 Baby vs. Permanent Teeth: Baby teeth are naturally whiter due to their structure, making permanent teeth appear darker when they erupt next to them.
  • 💧 Fluoride Benefits: Introducing fluoride products can help newly erupted permanent teeth mature faster and achieve a whiter color by absorbing minerals from saliva.
  • 🍵 Acidic Drinks Impact: Prolonged exposure to acidic drinks like coffee, tea, and soda can make teeth porous, leading to a darker appearance.
  • 🚫 Avoid Artificial Whitening: Artificial tooth whitening can make teeth more prone to staining and should be avoided for long-term oral health.
  • 🪥 Brushing Technique: Using a resilient toothbrush and brushing with vigor is essential to prevent extrinsic staining from plaque and debris.
  • 🕒 Time for Biofilm: Allowing time for a healthy biofilm to form on teeth after eating can protect them from staining and promote overall oral health.
  • 🍇 Healthy Eating: There's no need to worry about staining from colored foods like berries if you maintain a healthy oral biofilm.
  • 👵 Age is No Barrier: Regardless of age, maintaining a proper oral care routine can improve the color and health of teeth, as illustrated by the story of a 70-year-old man.
  • 📚 Further Education: For more in-depth information on oral care and the science behind it, resources are available on Dr. Ellie's website, DrElley.com.

Q & A

  • What are the two types of tooth stains mentioned in the script?

    -The two types of tooth stains mentioned are intrinsic stains, which are stains within the tooth itself, and extrinsic stains, which are on the surface of the tooth.

  • What causes intrinsic tooth stains?

    -Intrinsic tooth stains can be caused by disruptions in enamel formation, sometimes due to antibiotics, water supply issues during the formative years of a child's teeth, or even a fever at a young age.

  • Why do permanent teeth appear darker next to baby teeth?

    -Permanent teeth appear darker next to baby teeth because baby teeth have a different structure and are naturally whiter, while permanent teeth are initially more porous and absorb fewer minerals, making them look darker.

  • How long does it take for a new adult tooth to fully harden after erupting?

    -It takes about a year for a new adult tooth to fully harden after it has erupted.

  • What is the role of fluoride in the maturation of newly erupted permanent teeth?

    -Fluoride helps the newly erupted permanent tooth to become fully mature by aiding in the absorption of minerals from the mouth, saliva, and liquids, which contributes to a whiter color and stronger enamel.

  • Why is it important to brush teeth with vigor and use a good toothbrush to prevent staining?

    -Brushing with vigor and using a good toothbrush helps remove plaque and debris, preventing the buildup that can lead to staining. It also promotes the development of a healthy biofilm that protects the teeth.

  • What is the difference between plaque and biofilm as mentioned in the script?

    -Plaque is a buildup of bacteria that can lead to dental problems if not removed, while biofilm is a protective layer of healthy bacteria and proteins from saliva that forms over the teeth and helps prevent staining and plaque formation.

  • Why should one avoid artificial tooth whitening according to the script?

    -Artificial tooth whitening can damage the enamel and underlying structure of the teeth, making them more porous and prone to staining, and it can also lead to sensitivity.

  • What is the recommended approach to developing a healthy biofilm?

    -To develop a healthy biofilm, one should allow time for it to form by not eating or drinking for about an hour after meals, and using xylitol gum can also help in this process.

  • How does the script suggest maintaining oral health and preventing staining at any age?

    -The script suggests maintaining oral health and preventing staining by using a good toothbrush, following a complete mouth care system, avoiding prolonged exposure to acidic foods and drinks, and developing a healthy biofilm.

  • What is the website mentioned in the script for more information on oral care and products?

    -The website mentioned for more information on oral care and products is DrElli.com.

Outlines

00:00

🦷 Understanding Tooth Staining and Intrinsic Stains

The first paragraph discusses the topic of tooth staining, highlighting the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains are those that are present from the time the tooth erupts into the mouth, often due to disruptions in enamel formation, such as from antibiotic use or water supply issues during the formative years of a child's teeth. The speaker emphasizes that the enamel's role in light reflection and refraction leads to variations in tooth coloration. They also explain that permanent teeth naturally appear darker next to baby teeth due to their different structures and the fact that permanent teeth are initially porous and absorb minerals over time. The introduction of fluoride products and a complete mouth care system is suggested to help newly erupted teeth mature and achieve a whiter color, thus preventing decay and strengthening the enamel.

05:00

🌟 Extrinsic Staining and the Role of Oral Care

The second paragraph delves into extrinsic staining, which is caused by debris in the mouth staining over time, rather than the color of oral care products themselves. The speaker recommends a resilient toothbrush, like Cold Mouth Watchers, and proper brushing techniques to prevent staining. They clarify that staining is often a result of inadequate brushing, allowing plaque to accumulate and die off, which can appear as dark spots on the teeth. The paragraph also discusses the importance of developing a healthy biofilm over the teeth, which is a protective layer of bacteria and saliva proteins that prevent staining and plaque buildup. The speaker advises against frequent dental cleanings that strip away this protective layer, and instead promotes a healthy oral care routine that includes using specific products and allowing time for the biofilm to form.

10:02

👵👴 Age-Defying Oral Health and Avoiding Artificial Whitening

The final paragraph emphasizes that maintaining oral health and achieving teeth whiteness is not restricted by age. It tells the story of a 70-year-old man who, by following the recommended oral care system, significantly improved his teeth's color and strength, to the point where his dentist was impressed after a 10-year absence. The speaker advises against artificial tooth whitening, which can make teeth more susceptible to staining. They suggest strategies such as gum massage and brushing with vigor using recommended brushes to avoid self-defeating practices. The importance of saliva interaction with teeth for natural whiteness and health is highlighted, and the speaker encourages the audience to visit their website, DrElli.com, for more information and resources on oral care.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tooth Staining

Tooth staining refers to the discoloration of teeth, either intrinsic or extrinsic, which can be a concern for aesthetic and oral health reasons. In the video, it is the central theme, with discussions on the causes, types, and remedies for tooth stains. Intrinsic stains are mentioned as those that are present within the tooth structure from the time they erupt, while extrinsic stains are surface-level discolorations from external factors.

💡Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains are those that occur within the tooth structure itself. The script explains that these stains can be caused by disruptions in enamel formation, such as from antibiotics or water supply issues during childhood, and are an integral part of the tooth's composition. This concept is crucial as it sets the foundation for understanding that not all tooth discoloration can be removed through simple means.

💡Enamel

Enamel is the hard, outermost layer of a tooth that provides protection and contributes to the tooth's color through its interaction with light. The script discusses how issues in enamel development can lead to intrinsic staining. It also mentions the importance of enamel's hardness and mineral content in the context of tooth discoloration and decay resistance.

💡Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains are surface stains that come from external sources such as food, drink, and debris in the mouth. The video emphasizes that these stains are not from the substances themselves but from the acidic environment they create, which can make teeth more porous and prone to discoloration. This term is key to understanding the video's message on proper oral hygiene to prevent staining.

💡Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that helps in strengthening tooth enamel and is mentioned in the script as beneficial for the maturation of newly erupted permanent teeth. It is suggested as part of a mouth care system to help teeth absorb minerals and achieve a whiter color, illustrating its role in preventing tooth decay and enhancing dental health.

💡Porosity

Porosity in the context of teeth refers to their ability to absorb substances, which can lead to staining and decay. The script explains that new adult teeth are initially porous and can become more susceptible to staining if not properly cared for. Understanding porosity is essential for grasping the video's advice on tooth care to prevent staining.

💡Biofilm

Biofilm is a protective layer of bacteria and proteins that forms on teeth and is discussed in the video as a natural defense against staining and plaque. The script emphasizes the importance of allowing biofilm to develop for maintaining oral health and preventing tooth discoloration, contrasting it with the older concept of plaque removal.

💡Plaque

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can build up on teeth and lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not removed. The video differentiates plaque from biofilm, explaining that while plaque is harmful, a healthy biofilm is beneficial. This distinction is crucial for understanding the video's advocacy for a natural approach to oral hygiene.

💡Toothbrush

A toothbrush is a tool for cleaning teeth, and the script discusses the importance of using a high-quality, resilient-bristled toothbrush for effective cleaning. It advises against using old or moldy toothbrushes and emphasizes the need for proper brushing techniques to prevent staining and maintain oral health.

💡Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that can help in the remineralization of teeth and is mentioned in the script as part of a mouth care system. It is suggested for use after meals to help in the formation of a healthy biofilm and to protect teeth from staining, illustrating its role in comprehensive oral care.

💡Oral Care Routine

The oral care routine encompasses various practices for maintaining dental health, such as brushing, using mouthwash, and chewing xylitol gum. The video script highlights the importance of a comprehensive oral care routine in preventing tooth staining and promoting overall oral health, providing examples of how to implement such a routine effectively.

Highlights

There are two kinds of tooth stains: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic stains are present when teeth erupt and can be due to enamel formation issues or exposure to certain substances.

Extrinsic stains come from debris in the mouth becoming stained and are related to oral care practices.

Baby teeth are whiter because of their different structure compared to permanent teeth.

Newly erupted adult teeth are porous and prone to decay and staining.

Using fluoride products can help new permanent teeth mature and absorb minerals for a whiter color.

Proper brushing with a resilient toothbrush is essential for preventing extrinsic staining.

Avoiding prolonged acidic environments can prevent teeth from becoming porous and stained.

Developing a healthy biofilm on teeth is crucial for protection against staining.

Regular dental cleanings can strip away protective biofilms, leading to staining.

Healthy biofilm prevents plaque formation and protects teeth from staining.

Avoiding artificial tooth whitening can prevent increased staining.

Dr. Ellie's complete mouth care system can improve teeth color and health at any age.

Proper oral care can lead to significant improvements in teeth color, even in older adults.

The importance of allowing time for saliva to interact with teeth for biofilm development.

The contrast between natural teeth and a crown can indicate the effectiveness of mouth care practices.

Resources for learning more about oral health and care are available at DrElli.com.

Transcripts

play00:00

so thank you for joining me while we

play00:01

discuss tooth staining and how to remove

play00:06

tooth stains because this is a real

play00:08

concern for people and I think a very

play00:10

misunderstood topic there are two kinds

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of tooth stains there is a stain in your

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teeth that would be called intrinsic

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when your teeth erupt into the mouth

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they will have this stain on them in

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them they're built with the staining

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within the tooth and there are various

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reasons for that usually a just ruption

play00:31

in the way the enamel lays down

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sometimes caused by something like an

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antibiotic sometimes it's caused by the

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water supply that the child is drinking

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when they're between the ages of zero

play00:42

and six years old which is when the

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permanent teeth are forming so lots of

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things even a a fever at a young age can

play00:51

change the way the enamel is laid down

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and because enamel is all about

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reflection and refraction of light you

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will get different kinds of tooth

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coloring and it's just the way a lot of

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it is so if you think your teeth was

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stained when they erupted that's how

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they are now on that topic however if

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you have a child who's six seven years

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old and they are erupting new teeth when

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they come through they will be

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contrasted with the baby teeth that are

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next door to them and baby teeth are

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white white teeth because they're a

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different structure permanent teeth will

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always look darker

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next to those very brilliant white baby

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teeth the other problem with permanent

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teeth is they come through almost like a

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sponge they are very porous because they

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haven't yet absorbed the minerals that

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they're supposed to absorb in order to

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mature the enamel on the outside of them

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it takes about a year normally for a new

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tooth an adult tooth that will come

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through to replace a baby tooth it takes

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a about a year for that tooth to fully

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Harden and in that year the tooth will

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not only be very porous and prone to

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Decay to infection but also will be very

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fragile and not have as many minerals as

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it should have when it's fully mature

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now that's why I often talk about my

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complete mouth care system being used

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when children start getting adult teeth

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a gradual introduction to the use of

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some fluoride products will help that

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newly erupted permanent tooth to become

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fully mature to absorb minerals from the

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mouth from the saliva from the liquids

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in the mouth into it and that will give

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it a whiter color so just because your

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new child your child's new tooth is

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looking very yellow you can do something

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about that you can start introducing ing

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them to the use of the more adult

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toothpaste that I recommend and to a

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mouth wash and to the use of zotol

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frequently at the end of meals and take

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some pictures you'll be surprised

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usually instead of it taking a year for

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that tooth to mature with the use of

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those little strategies little different

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mouth care and the use of xolotl you can

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condense the time frame into usually 3

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to four months which is super for that

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tooth because it gives it the strength

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and it stops it from being at so much

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risk for Decay so those are intrinsic

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tooth coloring and the only thing you

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can really do uh is with a new adult

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tooth you can certainly try to help it

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be a better

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color the rest of the problems we all

play03:50

have with to teeth and staining and

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coloring is not about the things you may

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think it's about it's not so much about

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what you're eating and drinking as what

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you're doing and how you take care of

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your teeth and we're going to talk about

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that the best way to take care of your

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teeth to avoid them from

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staining and to understand that just

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because you think that drinking coffee

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and drinking tea has Stained your teeth

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yellow it isn't the coffee and the tea

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that does the damage it's the constant

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period of time when your teeth are in an

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acidic environment when the acidity of

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the coffee or the tea is pulling

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minerals out of your teeth and making

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them

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porous when a tooth is

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porous whether it's a brand new adult

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tooth that's coming into the mouth

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porous or if you're an elderly adult who

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is sipping on something acidic all day

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or you're a teenager sipping on

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sparkling water

play05:00

or diet soda anything acidic for a

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prolonged period of time is going to

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soften your teeth make it more porous

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and make the tooth appear darker and

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don't blame the oral care products you

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use it's not the color of the Listerine

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or the something in the act or the

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closest or anything there are a couple

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of oral care products that will stain

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teeth but if you're following the

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regimen that I

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recommend and you've followed it for a

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week or two or a short period of a few

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months your staining is not anything to

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do with the products you're using the

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staining you are seeing is the staining

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that most people get which is a staining

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because they are not properly brushing

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their teeth with an

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adequately resilient toothbrush

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and the kind of brush I recommend is

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cold mouth Watchers and they are

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resilient kind of bristles and you need

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to not be fearful don't be scared of

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brushing your teeth the stain you see is

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called extrinsic staining and this

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extrinsic

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staining it comes from things from

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debris in your mouth becoming

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stained and the unfortunate thing is

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that when your oral health rapidly

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improves as it would if you started

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using the products I recommend the

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plaque deposits that you have had on

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your teeth for decades maybe for years

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certainly for months most definitely are

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still stuck on your

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teeth and they will become darker

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because they are dying off and this

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dying off plaque can look gray or black

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on your teeth if you do not brush your

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teeth adequately and in most cases it's

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because people haven't invested that

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last piece of the puzzle good

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toothbrushes or they are using an

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electric toothbrush that cannot brush

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this debris off the teeth properly you

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need a good manual toothbrush and you

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need to give it 24 hours between uses so

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that it's clean you're not reinfecting

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your tooth surface with bacteria from

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your toothbrush and you need to have it

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dry so that it's not soft and Soggy so

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don't soak it in things don't soak it in

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baking soda don't soak it in vinegar

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those things will disrupt what we're

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looking for to protect your teeth from

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staining we are not looking to super

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clean your teeth like we used to believe

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that's the baking soda concept the

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bleaching concept the artificial

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whitening concept it's so out of date

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because it so damages the health of your

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mouth what you need is to develop

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healthy

play08:06

biofil that is a bofilm that is a layer

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over your teeth made up of healthy

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bacteria proteins from your saliva and

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we allow it time to form over everything

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in your mouth to protect your teeth from

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staining if you keep going for cleanings

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at the dentist and have all the biof

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forms stripped off your teeth no wonder

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they stain because you're losing this

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protection the protection that not only

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stops minerals from leeching out of your

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teeth that makes them more porous and

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more prone to staining but you're losing

play08:42

this protective protein layer that is

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really a bulletproof layer that stops

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stains from occurring on your teeth it

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prevents plaque from forming on your

play08:52

teeth there's a difference between

play08:54

plaque and biofilm and if you want to

play08:58

learn more I have a book mouth care

play09:00

comes clean that really explains the

play09:03

difference it explains how we used to

play09:06

think old mouths were infected with

play09:08

plaque today we realize a healthy mouth

play09:11

with healthy biofoam is sustainable it

play09:15

doesn't need cleanings all the time and

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it's there to help you and sustain

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healthy gums healthy teeth healthy mouth

play09:25

I don't go for cleanings because I have

play09:28

healthy bofilm

play09:29

it doesn't need to be cleaned off my

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teeth I drink black coffee I drink red

play09:35

wine I don't worry about the foods I eat

play09:38

and drink the blueberries the

play09:40

blackberries the the strawberries don't

play09:43

worry about all these colored Foods

play09:46

they're so good for you and if you have

play09:48

healthy biofilm if you develop that

play09:52

you'll be protected from these stains

play09:55

even if you're drinking red wine coffee

play09:59

tea

play10:00

within reason now how do you develop

play10:01

healthy bofilm as I said bofilm

play10:05

grows when you allow it time so after

play10:09

meals you want to have a little bit of

play10:11

xyl a zel's mint piece of gum and then

play10:15

don't eat or drink for an hour or so

play10:18

this will allow the healthy bofam to

play10:20

form over your teeth and protect them

play10:22

the other thing to do is to avoid

play10:24

sipping and snacking long periods of

play10:27

acidity and the story I will tell you

play10:30

there are two stories to tell you

play10:31

because this Dynamic of staining and

play10:36

cleaning keeping your teeth getting your

play10:37

teeth to be as white as they can

play10:39

possibly be will occur at any age

play10:43

anybody at any age you need to brush

play10:47

with Vigor with a good toothbrush you

play10:49

need to use the zotol I recommend my

play10:51

complete mouth care system my mother had

play10:54

a friend who was 70 years old and this

play10:58

gentleman was was an engineer and

play11:00

definitely followed my routine exactly

play11:03

the way he was supposed to like most

play11:05

Engineers do they did it he did it

play11:08

perfectly and for 10 years he was unable

play11:11

to get back to his normal dental

play11:13

appointment but after 10 years he he

play11:16

went back to Washington where he had

play11:18

previously lived and he went to see his

play11:20

dentist having not been to the dentist

play11:23

for 10 years but having been using my

play11:27

complete mouth care system exactly

play11:29

as described his dentist looked in his

play11:32

mouth and remarked George what have you

play11:35

been doing what have you been whitening

play11:37

your teeth with they look amazing and

play11:39

the reason the dentist was intrigued was

play11:41

because right before George had moved to

play11:44

Florida he had had a crown a cak crown

play11:48

done on a back tooth that was matched to

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his then yellowing teeth of a

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70-year-old now in his 80s having used

play11:59

my complete mouth care system he had

play12:01

strengthened the enamel of all his teeth

play12:05

so much that there was a distinct

play12:08

contrast in color between his natural

play12:11

teeth and the crown his dentist had made

play12:14

10 years previously so just because

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you're 70 or 80 or even 90 years old you

play12:20

can still improve the color of your

play12:22

teeth just like the seven-year-olds it's

play12:25

the same principle using the strategies

play12:28

I recommend for mouth care and giving

play12:30

your teeth time to interact with saliva

play12:33

those are the two most important things

play12:35

if you want to avoid teeth darkening

play12:39

whether you're old or young and to keep

play12:42

the stains away do some good gum massage

play12:45

but don't forget because that's what

play12:47

people do they get so excited about the

play12:49

gum massage for gum health they forget

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to brush their teeth if you notice any

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staining that's where you need to go go

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first go when you have the most

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toothpaste on your toothbrush and make

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sure you're using the brushes I

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recommend if you have an electric

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toothbrush that's full of mold or an old

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toothbrush you're going to be

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self-defeating

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so give it a fair shake and enjoy the

play13:13

beauty of shiny healthy natural teeth

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and you can do it and you can do this at

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any age don't be scared and I would

play13:21

highly recommend avoiding artificial

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tooth whitening because that beyond

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anything else sets you up for staining

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your teeth more quickly and more easily

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than anything else I know and again my

play13:35

final story was at a dental meeting

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where a hygienist who had Uber white

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teeth she had St she had obviously used

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whitening products either in the office

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or by herself I don't know but she had

play13:47

so whitened her teeth for this Dental

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meeting to impress us she had forgotten

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perhaps and had a glass of red wine I

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met her in the ladies room where she was

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devastated by her purple teeth and at

play14:01

that point her porest teeth had absorbed

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the color of the red wine there really

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isn't a lot you can do at that point

play14:10

except go home and start mineralizing

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your teeth and working to develop mouth

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Health rather than artificially whitened

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teeth so to find the right brushes to

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know about the products to learn the

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exact details that I talk about I think

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the easiest place to go is the website

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Dr elli.com where we put links we have

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uh all kinds of uh material I have books

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and there's an oral care oral health

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video boot camp where you can learn more

play14:45

about the science behind all of this too

play14:48

so you'll find a lot of support at Dr

play14:51

elli.com

play14:52

DLI e.com

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