Several things can cause teeth stains and damage your smile. Read more to learn the reasons and treatment of teeth discolorations.
Different Teeth Stains Colors
The color of teeth stains can tell you some crucial things:
Yellow Stain
These often come from eating and drinking dark stuff, like coffee or soda. It also means you must do a better job brushing and flossing.
Brown Stains
If your teeth are brown and have little holes, it’s likely from smoking or chewing tobacco. Brown spots with holes could also mean you have a cavity that needs fixing.
Purple Stains
People who drink a lot of red wine might get purple stains on their teeth.
Gray Stains
If your teeth turn gray, it could mean the nerve inside your tooth is not healthy. This can happen if you’ve had an injury to your teeth.
White Spots
White dots on your teeth might indicate dental fluorosis. This happens when you have too much fluoride in your water or toothpaste as a kid.
Black Spots
Black spots on your teeth are a sign of severe decay or damage. You should see a dentist to fix this.
Reasons
Teeth can get stained and lose their whiteness. This happens for a few reasons:
Food and Drinks
Things like coffee, tea, sodas, wine, and fruits and veggies can stain your teeth.
Tobacco
If you smoke or chew tobacco, it can also turn your teeth yellow or brown.
Not Cleaning Well
If you don’t brush, floss, and rinse your mouth often enough, plaque (a sticky film on your teeth) and things that stain can build up.
Diseases
Some illnesses can affect the hard outer part of your teeth (enamel) and the material under it (dentin), making your teeth change color. Treatments for specific health problems can do this, too.
Medicines
Some antibiotics, like tetracycline and doxycycline, can stain children’s teeth when growing (before age 8).
Getting Older
As you age, the enamel on your teeth wears away, and the natural color underneath starts to show.
Genes
Some people are just born with teeth that are naturally brighter or have thicker enamel.
Too Much Fluoride
Too much fluoride from things like water can also make your teeth look different.
Accidents
If you have an accident, like falling and hurting your teeth when you’re young, it can mess up how your teeth look as they grow. It can even happen to adult teeth.
Types
There are three types of teeth stains:
Outside Stains
Outside teeth stains come from external stuff like food, drinks, and smoking. They’re on the surface and can be cleaned by a dentist or with whitening treatments.
Inside Stains
These are inside your teeth, like aging, diseases, or medicine. They’re deeper and can be tough to remove with regular cleaning.
Age-Related Stains
As you age, your teeth become darker because the outside part is worn down. This is hard to fix with whitening methods.
Treatment
To remove different types of teeth stains, you can follow these steps:
For Teeth Stains on the Outside of Teeth (Extrinsic Stains)
- Brush and Floss Regularly: Make sure to brush your teeth and floss to prevent the buildup of plaque, which can lead to stains.
- Use Whitening Toothpaste or Gel: You can use toothpaste or gels specially made to help whiten teeth.
For Teeth Stains Inside Teeth (Intrinsic Stains)
- Professional Teeth Whitening: To deal with these deeper stains, seeing a dentist for professional teeth whitening treatments, like bleaching or laser whitening, is best.
For Teeth Stains Due to Aging (Age-Related Stains)
- Professional Whitening: Sometimes, a dentist can help lighten these stains with special whitening treatments.
- Dental Crowns or Veneers: Sometimes, your dentist might recommend covering the stained teeth with crowns or veneers for a more lasting solution.
Professional Teeth Whitening
If you’re self-conscious about your teeth’ color, you can visit a dentist for professional teeth whitening, like Zoom teeth whitening. This is a safe and straightforward process that provides excellent results.
During the treatment, your dentist will:
Clean Your Teeth: Your dentist will start by cleaning your teeth.
Protect Your Lips and Gums: They will cover your lips and gums to keep them safe during whitening.
Apply a Whitening Gel: A special gel with hydrogen peroxide on your teeth stays for about 15 minutes.
Use LED Lights: LED lights activate the gel, which helps remove stains from your teeth.
Repeat the Process: This is done two more times for three sessions.
After these sessions, you’ll leave the dentist’s office with a brighter smile. You’ll also receive guidance on caring for your whiter teeth at home and a kit to help maintain your new smile.
Conclusion
Take good care of your oral health to avoid teeth stains. Always consult your dentist on treatment options to remove your tooth discoloration. Contact Dentalsway for more information on foods that naturally whiten teeth for a beautiful smile.
