Have you looked in the mirror while getting ready for a big day and noticed that your teeth are not as white as you would like them to be? While you might know how to “fix” it, let’s talk about what causes your teeth to be stained and how to prevent it.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Aging. As you age, the transparent enamel surface of your teeth may wear down, disclosing the yellowish color of the underlying dentin.
Poor Oral Hygiene. This causes the accumulation of food debris and plaque formation, a thick layer rich in bacteria. These factors can cause the teeth to look stained and yellow.
Tooth Decay. Poor oral hygiene can lead to decay of teeth which starts as white patches and then turns brown or black.
Habits. Excessive intake of tea or coffee and smoking can cause brown staining of the teeth.
Stress. Stress affects most body functions, and among that, it affects the normal flora of your mouth, which results in the activation of some kinds of bacteria, which will result in dotted black stains on the teeth at the gum line.
Fluoride. Too much fluoride can cause white spots. This is called fluorosis, and it happens when teeth are exposed to much fluoride from drinking water or excess use of fluoridated mouthwashes or toothpaste.
Improper Dental Treatments. Amalgam filling (silver fillings) can cause the tooth to look black. When root canal treatment is done, tooth color changes to yellow, brown, or even black in some cases.
Antibiotics. Exposure to some antibiotics during tooth formation, like in the mother’s womb or at an early age, can cause yellow to green lines on the teeth. This kind of stain is internal and needs more invasive treatment to be covered.
How to Prevent Teeth Staining?
Prevention is key to healthy teeth. For that, try to minimize the intake of colored beverages, avoid smoking, reduce stress, maintain a good oral hygiene routine, and visit the dentist regularly.
How is Tooth Discoloration Treated?
There are multiple options to have a brighter smile and whiter teeth.
Brushing your Teeth. when you miss brushing for a few days, your teeth will have a yellow plaque layer. Once you brush, you will see the difference.
Scaling and Polishing in the clinic will remove all the calculus, plaque, and black stains, leaving your teeth looking whiter and brighter.
In-Office Teeth Whitening. It’s a professional way of removing the stains absorbed by your teeth over the years, disclosing the white and bright teeth you have,
Proper Dental Treatment. We might need to replace fillings, do internal bleaching or do root canal treatment again to remove the discolored improperly done root canal filling materials
Crowns and Veneers are used in case of internal staining caused by the use of antibiotics and for the aged teeth to replace the lost tooth structure and get the white smile you deserve.
Having a bright smile is a matter of having a good oral hygiene routine, and tooth discoloration can affect how you feel about your smile and oral health. Treatments and prevention methods exist to help you feel more confident. Our Expert Dentists at Burjeel MHPC provide various services to help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
Our expert Dentists will work with you to determine the best approach for restoring your tooth’s natural color and shape and preventing future discoloration. From dental crowns to veneers, we have the skills necessary to provide quality treatment that is both safe and effective.
