What are Teeth stains? How do teeth stains occur?
Do you see the ads for pearly white teeth and wonder why your teeth aren’t that shade of white? Just because your teeth aren’t as white as in ads, doesn’t mean they are unhealthy.
Teeth discoloration or teeth stains can occur for various reasons, from food habits, oral hygiene, and injury, to medication. Teeth can stain on the surface of the teeth, in between the teeth, or below the tooth enamel.
Enamel, the outermost layer that guards the teeth, has a natural white hue. The underlying dentin has a slightly yellowish or grayish tint.
Depending on the thickness of the enamel, some people might have slightly more yellowish teeth than others, which is perfectly normal.
However, due to some lifestyle changes, teeth develop discoloration over time.
City Dental Hospital at Rajkot, Gujarat with its High-tech clinic will help you remove teeth stains and keep your gums healthy
Types of Teeth stains
There are three types of teeth stains:
Extrinsic: When habits like smoking, drinking coffee, wine, or other foods and drinks, cause the enamel, the outermost covering of the tooth get discolored.
Intrinsic: When the dentin, the tooth’s inside, darkens or acquires a yellow tinge. Certain drugs, dental trauma or injury, tooth decay, and the overuse of fluoride can all contribute to this.
Age-related teeth staining: This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. With age, the enamel becomes thinner, making the dentin show through, and making your teeth look yellowish.
Difference between cavity and teeth stain
Sometimes cavities and teeth stains tend to look similar. Let us see about the differences between cavity and teeth stains.
Two can be identified based on the color & shape of the stain or cavity and accompanying symptoms.
A cavity is caused by the decay of the tooth due to improper care. Tooth decays can grow and become deeper with time and can often look brown-black or grayish.
Unlike stains, cavities display symptoms such as sensitivity to hot and cold beverages, visible holes in and around the affected teeth, and toothache along with inflammation of the gums.
Whereas, a stain or slight tooth discoloration tends to shrink or grow depending on changes in diet and oral care. Depending on the type of bacteria and food habits causing the teeth’s discoloration, the stains can be black, brown, grayish, yellow, orange, or red.
Causes of teeth discoloration
Food and Beverages: Red wine, coffee, tea, chocolates, and foods with high sugars can be major causative agents for extrinsic stains.
Tobacco and Smoking: Frequent tobacco and betel nut chewing damages the enamel causing both extrinsic and intrinsic stains that are reddish-brown. Regular smoking can also cause teeth discoloration.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Lack of brushing and flossing can cause plaque build-up on the teeth surface near the gum.
Medication: Certain antibiotics can cause teeth to discolor in developing children.
Aging: With age, the enamel tends to wear out, causing the yellow dentin to become visible.
Hereditary: Enamel thickness and hence the color of the teeth depends on genetics
Environmental Factors: sources such as water with high fluoride content or excessive usage of fluoride treatments can cause fluorosis, which looks like white spots on teeth.
Trauma or Injury: Certain heavy injuries to the teeth during developmental years can damage enamel formation in younger children.
How to get rid of teeth stains – Treatment options
Teeth Whitening home remedies:
- Avoid Stain inducing foods and beverages.
- Apply over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpaste.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing teeth.
- Rub fruit peels like oranges, bananas, or lemons. Since they contain citric acid, they can remove the teeth stains naturally.
- When should you seek dental treatment for teeth whitening?
Depending on the severity of the discoloration, your dentist will perform in-office teeth whitening procedures with a hydrogen peroxide solution.
Other treatments include dental bonding in which a white resin is applied and hardened using a curing light.
Dental crowns could be fixed over damaged molar stains in case of heavy discoloration, and dental veneers for front teeth to cover the transparent stains.
Cost-effective teeth whitening treatments
At City Dental Hospital, we provide exceptional services to restore your bright smile. Be it Cleaning, Whitening, Composite Bonding, or Porcelain Veneers, our experts take proper care most safely and affordably.
Conclusion
Teeth Stains or Teeth discoloration is a very common phenomenon that can be caused by a multitude of reasons. Fortunately, it is treatable and preventable by practicing regular, proper oral care. Just make sure to consult your dentist before trying any home remedies for teeth whitening.
And don’t forget to get an annual dental check-up. City Dental Hospital is Rajkot’s top Dental Care solution. We offer exceptional service with a personalized treatment plan that is efficient and cost-effective.
A healthy, pearly white smile is everyone’s desire, and it is our responsibility to give you that smile. Consult our experts for teeth whitening treatment.
