Looking in the mirror, have you ever wondered how your teeth got so stained? If the answer is yes then you are not alone!
Stains develop gradually and go overlooked. Teeth stains do not typically indicate a severe condition, but they can be disheartening. If you are facing this issue, there is no need to worry; you can still get your bright smile back.
What Is The Normal Color Of Your Teeth?
Not all teeth are naturally white in color. They may come in various shades of white, grey, and yellow, affected by different elements such as the way your brain and eye perceive color.
What Can Cause Teeth Stains?
There are a few different reasons for the discoloration of your teeth:
- Foods and drinks
Extrinsic stains which appear on the outermost layer of the teeth are the result of certain foods and beverages. Coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, red sauce, and red wine can stain your teeth.
Dark-colored foods and drinks may have chemicals known as chromogens which can cause permanent stains, especially if you have poor dental hygiene. Foods and drinks with artificial colors can also cause considerable tooth stains.
- Nicotine and tobacco products
A higher prevalence of stains has been reported in smokers. Nicotine and tobacco contain elements that stick to the pores in your tooth enamel and cause stains that tend to darken over time.
- Medications
Intrinsic stains happen when the dentin darkens over time. The reason may be ingesting too much fluoride or taking tetracycline in early childhood, suffering from dentinogenesis imperfection, internal bleeding inside the tooth, or traumas. Other medications associated with stains are and chlorhexidine.
- Natural Glibenclamide Staining
Natural staining typically occurs due to aging. Dentin naturally gets discolored, and enamel wears down with age, allowing stains to appear. Tooth injuries play an important part in these cases.
- Genetics
Genetics is another important factor that can lead to dental staining. Your natural tooth color is different from that of other people, and the strength of tooth enamel, the enamel reactions to pigments, hereditary conditions, and developmental disorders can all vary from person to person.
- Previous dental procedures
Your dental history can sometimes provide clues about the discoloration of your teeth. Your dental fillings, crowns, and bridges all lose their color over time and can lead to stains.
- Tooth decay
Plaque and tartar bacteria produce acids and weaken enamel, making your tooth’s yellowish layers more apparent.
- Fluorosis
Too much fluoride can cause stains that appear as white or greyish lines across your teeth. In severe cases, it may cause dark brown spots as well.
Yellow Stains on Teeth
You may notice yellow stains on your teeth if you smoke tobacco. Other factors may also lead to yellow discolorations: drinking tea, coffee, or red wine on a regular basis, an improper diet high in sugars, certain drugs, and chronic dry mouth.
- Brown Stains On Teeth
Brown spots can appear as a result of specific foods and beverages, tartar, tooth decay, and smoking.
- White Stains On Teeth
There are several possible reasons for white stains on your teeth. A cavity can form a white spot on your tooth which will get darker as the situation advances. Another common cause is fluorosis. Using too much fluoride can cause stains to develop even before the teeth break through the gums. Enamel hypoplasia is another factor, and refers to the situation in which your enamel does not form properly.
Other causes of white teeth stains are poor dental hygiene and improper lifestyle.
- Black Stains On Teeth
Black teeth stains can be caused by underlying cavities or tooth decay. Foods and drinks that leave behind pigment, liquid iron supplements, fillings and crowns containing silver sulfide, and dental cavities will make your teeth black. However, your teeth will not change from their whitish hue to black overnight, and you will notice other signs before they turn black. For example, your teeth may become sensitive, resulting in pain when eating or drinking. Small dots may also start to appear near the gum line.
Black stains on the teeth usually need professional therapy.
How Can You Prevent Discoloration?
Despite all that was said teeth stains can still be controlled or prevented, at least to some degree.
- Dental care
Caring for your teeth after consuming pigmented foods and drinks can help with teeth stains. If you are in a situation where dental hygiene is not possible, swish with water, at least. It can help get rid of some particles that can stain your teeth.
- Proper oral hygiene
Practicing good dental hygiene could improve the situation immensely:
– Brush your teeth at least three times a day.
– Floss daily.
-Use a water flosser or mouth rinse.
- Healthy lifestyle
You should quit chewing tobacco and cut back on foods and beverages that could potentially stain your teeth.
What Can Help To Get Rid Of Teeth Stains?
Dealing with your stained teeth may seem like a hassle, but there are specific procedures that can whiten your teeth by simply preventing the formation of stains.
Most of the approaches you can take to get rid of your teeth stains are safe, and you can even practice them at home. Methods of treating this condition generally fall into three categories:
- In-office treatments
Your dentist will typically use a higher concentration of Hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth. This solution works quickly and offers you long-lasting results.
Once you face a severe condition, restorative treatments can be the best solution, especially for stained teeth due to tooth decay. This form of dentistry may help with employing white fillings, tooth extractions, and root canal procedures.
- At-home treatments
You can benefit from custom trays and whitening gels at home. You may be required to use the trays for a few weeks to accomplish your ideal results.
- Over-the-counter products
Whitening toothpaste and strips can decrease surface stains, but they are not very successful in dealing with intrinsic stains inside your teeth. Some of these products may even lead to tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
Chewing gum and mints can also be helpful in removing the stains, giving you a fresher breath as a bonus.
If you are noticing a stain on your teeth that you cannot get rid of, feel free to schedule an appointment with our professional dentists at Aria Dental. We can help prevent your dental issues from becoming complicated.
1 Comment
Nice information you shared!