Various Factors for Discoloration and Stains on Teeth

Tooth discoloration and stains are regular occurrences that can be caused by a number of factors. What's the good news? Many of these stains may be treated and avoided.

Here's all you need to know about tooth discoloration and stains, as well as what you can do to maintain your pearly whites in tip-top shape.

Various types of staining

Extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related tooth discoloration are the three types of tooth discoloration.

Extrinsic. When it comes to extrinsic tooth discoloration, the stains are most likely just harming the tooth enamel or the tooth's surface. The following are the most typical sources of extrinsic stains:

food

beverages

tobacco

Intrinsic. Because this stain is on the inside of the tooth, it is more resistant to over-the-counter whitening solutions. It has a grey appearance. Intrinsic stains include the following:

some pharmaceuticals

Too much fluoride genetics damage or injury to a tooth dental decay

Age-related. The enamel on your teeth continues to wear away as you get older, resulting in a yellow tint. Extrinsic and intrinsic variables can both contribute to age-related discoloration.

Tooth discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors.

"What we eat and drink, age, and tooth traumas are the major causes of discoloration," says Sheila Samaddar, DDS, president of the District of Columbia Academy of General Dentistry.

Tobacco, food, and drink

Certain foods and beverages can discolor your teeth by moving into the outer layers of your tooth structure. The following are some of the most prevalent causes of tooth staining:

sauces in a red color

the color of red wine

tea \scoffee \schocolate

Tooth discoloration can also be caused by tobacco usage, whether in the form of cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

Smokers have a greater frequency of tooth discoloration than non-smokers, according to clinical research Trusted Source. Furthermore, smokers have a greater level of unhappiness with their looks due to the appearance of their teeth, according to the study.

An acidic environment in your mouth might also make your enamel more prone to discoloration, according to Tufts School of Dental Medicine.

Antibiotics, age, and injuries

"As you become older, your teeth might become more fragile, which can lead to discoloration or yellowing," adds Samaddar.

When dental trauma is the source of the disease, just the affected tooth may discolor.

If you were given antibiotics as a youngster, you should find out which ones you were given. There is a correlation between taking tetracycline antibiotics as a youngster and permanent tooth discoloration, according to the Food and Drug AdministrationTrusted Source.

Color-based staining

Rhonda Kalasho, DDS, of GLO Modern Dentistry, shares the following information about what might produce surface stains on your teeth if you're wondering what's causing the discoloration.

Yellow. Smokers and chewing tobacco users may get yellow stains on their teeth. Beverages such as tea, coffee, or red wine can also produce yellow discoloration.

a high-sugar, simple-carbohydrate diet

some pharmaceuticals

persistent dry mouth due to inadequate oral hygiene

Brown. Brown patches or discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors. The following are some of the most prevalent causes:

Tea, coffee, cola, and red wine are all tobacco-related drinks.

blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates are examples of such fruits.

tartar accumulation from untreated dental rot

White. A cavity might leave a white area on your tooth that darkens as the cavity progresses. White patches on your teeth can also be caused by too much fluoride.

Black. Advanced dental cavity fillings and crowns that use silver sulfide liquid iron supplements might generate a black mark or stain.

Purple. Patients who drink wine on a daily basis, according to Kalasho, have a purple undertone to their teeth.

What can you do to remove stains from your teeth?

There are a variety of products and techniques available to whiten your teeth and remove or decrease stains.

Teeth whitening options are divided into three groups in general. They are as follows:

Treatment is provided in the office. In comparison to at-home alternatives, your dentist would normally use a greater dosage of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. The results of in-office therapy frequently endure longer than those of other approaches.

Treatments that you may do at home with the help of your dentist. Some dentists can create personalized 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 effects, you may need to wear the trays for a few weeks.

Products that can be purchased over-the-counter. Whitening toothpaste and strips may be useful in removing surface stains, but they are ineffective at removing intrinsic stains that are found deep within your teeth.

Before you attempt any teeth whitening product, Samaddar suggests speaking with your dentist to be sure it's safe. Some products might irritate the gums or cause tooth sensitivity.

Additionally, schedule frequent teeth cleanings with your dentist. The appearance of stains and spots may frequently be reduced with regular examinations and cleanings.

When should you schedule an appointment with a dentist?

It's a good idea to follow up with your dentist if you detect a change in the color of your teeth that doesn't improve with a whitening solution.

"If the staining looks to be deep and no over-the-counter whitening products will remove it, it might be something more serious, such as a cavity or enamel demineralization," Kalasho explains.

If you have only one discolored tooth, it might be the result of a cavity or an injury to the interior of the tooth. The sooner these disorders are addressed by your dentist, the better the outcome will be.

See your dentist twice a year for regular checkups to maintain your teeth healthy. Problems are frequently detected during these consultations. It is possible to avoid the problem from growing more complex if therapy is started early.

What can you do to avoid discoloration?

After consuming colored meals, brush your teeth. If you're going to ingest pigmented food or beverages, Samaddar suggests brushing and flossing right thereafter. If this isn't an option, drinking or swishing with water can help eliminate at least some of the particles that can discolor your teeth.

Maintain proper dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least three times a day, flossing every day, and using a water flosser, as well as using a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse, according to Kalasho. "Mouth rinses and water flossers are good solutions for decreasing those difficult-to-remove stains between the teeth," she explains.

Change your habits. Talk to your doctor about a quitting program if you smoke or chew tobacco. You should also avoid meals and beverages that might discolor your teeth. If that's too difficult,

Make sure you have a toothbrush on hand so you can be proactive about removing stain-causing materials from your teeth.

Last but not least

Tooth discoloration is quite frequent and can occur for a variety of causes. Pigmented foods and drinks, as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, are common causes.

Teeth whitening products or methods may typically eliminate or diminish stains that form on the surface of your teeth. You can get them done by your dentist or use at-home products.

Intrinsic stains, or discoloration, or stains that form inside your teeth, might be caused by dental decay, an accident, or a medicine. For these sorts of stains, your dentist can advise you on the best course of action.

My Recommendation for Teeth Whitening

AltaWhite

Idol White

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