A nice smile and white teeth are part of our view of ideal beauty. However, many of us have teeth that don't quite meet that standard. Either they're not as white as we'd like, or they look discolored, making us self-conscious. According to Houston cosmetic dentist, several factors can cause teeth to look stained or discolored. Some of these can be corrected or prevented while others are harder to avoid or difficult to treat.

Some of the most common causes of stained teeth are from food and beverage says Dr. Farid Noie. A few examples of foods and beverages that can discolor your teeth include:

? Coffee
? Tea
? Wine
? Darkly pigmented food

Other factors that can also cause stained teeth include:

? Aging
? Root Canals
? Cracks in teeth
? Tobacco use
? Regular wear and tear

Mild staining can often be removed by a regular dental cleaning says cosmetic dentist Dr. Farid Noie. Darker staining will require tooth whitening treatments in order to remove stain. Some patients prefer veneers say Houston Veneers dentist. Veneers are coverings applied to tooth surfaces that are specifically created to match the original color and shape of your existing teeth.

Whether you have mild or dark stained teeth cut down on the consumption of these items and brush regularly to prevent most discoloration.