Stained teeth are a health and cosmetic concern. No one likes to have visible teeth stains that others can easily see! In this article, we will explain the most common causes of stained teeth and help you prevent them.
Dentists study the appearance and morphology of stained teeth to discover how to treat and prevent stained teeth. For patients, tooth stains are a cosmetic concern. Your smile and speech should not be affected by discoloration that makes your teeth appear dull.
Let’s take a look at some of the possible causes of this common problem.
Types of stained teeth
First, it is important to know that there are basically two types of teeth stains:
- External
These stains affect the outermost layers of a tooth. They are usually caused by pigmented residues from different drinks or foods. Wine, coffee, and soy sauce can cause them.
Smokers also get extrinsic tooth stains from tobacco . However, they can also occur due to aging and wear of the teeth without exposure to these factors.
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- Internal
These teeth stains affect the inner layer of the teeth. They can be caused by trauma or a birth defect.
Sometimes it can occur when a pregnant woman takes a certain medication, such as tetracycline , during pregnancy. A particular condition that causes stained teeth is fluorosis, which is caused by excessive fluoride intake.
Extrinsic tooth stains can become intrinsic due to penetration. Tooth stains on the outermost layer, enamel, can penetrate into the dentin from the inside of the tooth.
Causes of stained teeth
Below, we will tell you about the most common causes of stained teeth in the general population. Some of them are:
- Tooth enamel darkens over time. Wear and tear thins the enamel, revealing the inner layers that have a different color.
- As mentioned above, certain drinks and foods can stain teeth. Coffee is a major stainer . Red wine, carrots, citrus fruits, and vinegar can erode tooth enamel and stain teeth.
- Tobacco. Nicotine stains teeth brown.
- Natural color. Not all people’s teeth are the same color. Different shades from birth can make staining more noticeable.
- Medications. Some medications, such as diphenhydramine and chlorhexidine, have been associated with tooth discoloration. However, this only occurs when used for long periods of time. Other medications, including tetracycline, disrupt tooth formation in childhood.
- Fluorosis. When a person consumes more fluoride than recommended, it accumulates in the body, especially in the teeth. Fluoride in teeth produces stains.
- Trauma. Especially in children whose teeth are still developing, trauma can alter the growth process and cause stains.
- Poor hygiene.Lack of brushing or poor brushing technique can lead to stained teeth.
Many factors can cause teeth to stain. Certain foods, medications, and trauma are common causes.
Colors of teeth stains
Not all tooth stains are the same. They can be different colors depending on the cause that creates them . Color is important for the dentist when treating stained teeth because it can guide the diagnosis.
For example, white spots indicate fluorosis. The spots caused by bacterial plaque formation are also white and are more noticeable the worse the oral hygiene.
Brown stains are usually caused by food or drink. Tobacco also causes brownish discoloration on the teeth. The accumulation of food residue causes yellow stains.
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Yellowness on the teeth reveals bacterial plaque, which is formed due to microorganisms that find a good place to develop due to lack of hygiene.
Green spots are more common at an early age. Like yellow spots, they are linked to poor brushing. The green pigment behind this stain is called phenazine and is caused by certain bacteria and fungi.
Finally, black spots on teeth are caused by high iron intake or medications such as chlorhexidine. Black spots are a symptom of periodontitis.
The color of stains on teeth is an important sign in dentistry, as it can guide the specialist towards certain diagnoses.
Preventing teeth from staining
To prevent stains from forming on your teeth, you can follow general guidelines. Some of them are:
- Improve your dental hygiene.Brushing your teeth correctly and frequently is the main way to protect your teeth.
- Visit the dentist. You should visit the dentist regularly to get your teeth checked and get appropriate recommendations.
- Reduce your intake of beverages such as coffee or cola .
- Avoid or quit smoking.
Have you noticed any stains on your teeth?
If so, make an appointment with a dentist to discover what might be going on.
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