Tooth discoloration and stains are common occurrences that can be caused by a number of factors. What's the good news? Many of these stains can be treated and prevented.
Here's everything you need to know about tooth discoloration and stains, as well as what you can do to keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape.
Types of staining
Tooth decoloration is divided into three categories: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
Extrinsic. The stains are most likely only affecting the tooth enamel, or the outer layer of the tooth. Extrinsic stains are caused by a variety of factors:
- food
- beverages
- tobacco
Intrinsic. This type of stain is embedded in the tooth and more resistant to over-the-counter whitening solutions. It has a grayish tint to it most of the time. Examples of intrinsic stains are:
- certain medications
- trauma or injury to a tooth
- tooth decay
- too much fluoride
- genetics
Age-related. The enamel on your teeth begins to wear away as you get older, resulting in a yellow appearance. Extrinsic and intrinsic factors can both contribute to age-related discoloration.
Why tooth get discolored?
"Whatever we eat and drink, aging and tooth damage are the main reasons for tooth discoloration," says Sheila Samaddar, DDS, President of the Columbia Academy of General Dentistry district.
Food, drink, and tobacco
Some foods and drinks can stain your teeth by moving into your structure's outer layers. Some of the main reasons of tooth stain mentioned below:
- red sauces
- red wine
- tea
- coffee
- chocolate
Tobacco use, whether in the form of cigarettes or chewing tobacco, can also stain teeth.
Smokers have a higher prevalence of tooth discoloration than nonsmokers, according to clinical research. In addition, according to the study, smokers are more dissatisfied with their appearance on the basis of their tooth appearance. Tufts School of Dentistry has declared that, an acidic environment in your mouth can also make your enamel more colorful.
Age, injuries, and antibiotics
“As you get older, your teeth may become more brittle, allowing staining or yellowing to occur,” says Samaddar.
Sometimes only the damaged tooth will darken when the root of the problem is tooth injury.
If you were given antibiotics as a child, find out which ones were given to you. There is a link between tetracycline antibiotics and permanent tooth discoloration, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Staining by color
Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, of GLO Modern Dentistry, explained the tooth discoloration causes in brief.
Yellow. People can develop yellow staining on their teeth by smoking or chewing tobacco. They can be caused by:
- beverages such as tea, coffee, or red wine
- a diet that has high simple sugars
- particular medications
- poor oral hygiene
- chronic dry mouth
Brown. Brown spot causes because of a number of factors. The most common causes are:
- use of tobacco
- tea, coffee, red wine, and cola
- fruits such as blueberries, pomegranates, and blackberries
- untreated tooth decay
- tartar buildup
White. Sometimes cavity causes a white visible spot on your tooth and when it becomes more advanced it turns darker. The use of too much fluoride also puts white spots on your teeth.
Black. A black spot or stain often causes by:
- A Sophisticated dental cavity
- Silver sulfide fillings and crowns
- liquid iron supplements
Purple. According to Kalasho, wine drinkers' teeth have a purple undertone. According to Kalasho, wine drinkers' teeth have a purple undertone.
What would you do to Remove Stains?
There are a variety of products and procedures available to whiten your teeth and remove or reduce stains.
Teeth whitening options are divided into three categories in general. They are as follows:
- In-office treatment. In comparison to at-home products, your dentist will typically use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. The effects of in-office treatment lasts longer than the other methods of stains removing.
- At-home treatments by your dentist. Some dentists can create custom trays for you to use at home on your teeth. You'll fill the tray with gel and place it on your teeth for up to an hour each day, or as directed by your dentist. To see results, you may need to wear the trays for a few weeks.
- Over-the-counter products. Whitening toothpastes and strips may be effective at removing surface stains, but they are ineffective at removing intrinsic stains that are found deep within your teeth.
Before you try any teeth whitening product, Samaddar suggests speaking with your dentist to make sure it's safe. Some products can irritate the gums or cause tooth sensitivity.
Additionally, schedule regular dental cleanings with your dentist. Regular checkups and cleanings might help you to decrease stains and spots appearance.
When should you see a dentist?
We highly recommend you to follow up with your dentist if you notice any color change of your teeth that doesn't improve with a whitening product.
“If the staining persists through the use of whitening agents, it may be a cavity or enamel demineralization, which is a more severe problem,” Kalasho says.
If you have only one discolored tooth, maybe it’s because of a cavity or an injury to the inside of your tooth. The sooner these issues are addressed by your dentist, the better the outcome will be.
See your dentist twice a year for routine exams to keep your teeth healthy. Problems are frequently discovered during these appointments. It is possible to prevent the problem from becoming more complicated if treatment is started early.
How can you prevent discoloration?
- After eating pigmented foods, brush your teeth. If you're going to consume pigmented foods or beverages, Samaddar suggests brushing and flossing right afterward. If this isn't an option, drinking or swishing with water can help remove at least some of the particles that can stain your teeth.
- Keep up with your oral hygiene. According to Kalasho, you can brush your teeth at least three times a day, floss everyday with a water flosser, and use whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse. “To reduce those difficult-to-remove stains between the teeth, mouth rinses and water flossers would be good choices,” she advises.
- Change your habits. Consult your doctor for a tobacco control program if you smoke or chew tobacco. You should also avoid foods and drinks that have the potential to stain your teeth. If you find this challenging, have a toothbrush on hand so you can be vigilant about keeping stain-causing matter away from your teeth.
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