All About Tooth Stains

Teeth stains impact everyone. Many factors could cause this issue. It is not just food and drink. Smoking, dental injury, age, and medications can also discolor teeth.

These stains discolor teeth. Some people have surface and subsurface tooth stains. This page covers tooth discoloration, its causes, and its treatments. Get help from the best dentist in Irvine

Tooth Stains

Numerous things can discolor teeth. Biological factors like tooth enamel transparency and certain meals and beverages can also discolor teeth. Some reasons for tooth discoloration are preventable, while others are not. This detailed list might help you find the cause of tooth discoloration and prevent future tooth decay.

• Dental Care

Insufficient brushing and flossing can discolor teeth.

• Illness or Trauma

Any injury, illness, or disease that disrupts enamel formation in the womb or during tooth development might discolor children’s teeth. Trauma can discolor adult teeth.

• Health Care

Antihistamines, chemotherapy, high blood pressure meds, and some antipsychotics discolor teeth. Sometimes medical procedures discolor teeth.

• Drink

Coffee, tea, dark drinks, red wine, and several fruits and vegetables discolor teeth.

• Tobacco

Tobacco can discolor teeth.

Which tooth discolorations exist?

Tooth discoloration can result from surface stains, material changes, or both. Dental specialists have identified three main tooth discolorations:

• Internal tooth staining

Intrinsic stains penetrate the tooth. When stain-causing compounds enter the tooth enamel, it happens. Fluoride ingestion can potentially cause neurotoxicity, especially in children. Though harder, intrinsic discolored teeth can be removed. Inherent tooth discoloration may require professional or DIY chemical teeth-whitening procedures like Whitestrips.

• External teeth stains

Surface tooth stains are extrinsic. Food and drink residue stains the protein-based layer that protects tooth enamel. Extrinsically stained teeth are caused by tobacco, coffee, tea, alcohol, and cola. Regular dental cleanings and whitening toothpaste remove tooth discoloration.

• Age-related teeth staining

Age-related tooth stains may occur from intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration. Because dentin ages, teeth darken. Age-thinning enamel exposes dentin. Most people’s teeth are yellow with age due to these intrinsic discolorations and extrinsic causes like diet, drinks, and smoking.

How can you remove tooth stains?

• Oral hygiene

If you have this cosmetic issue, start with dental hygiene. Limit soda, red wine, coffee, and tea, which discolor teeth. Using a straw prevents these drinks from touching your teeth. All dentists believe chewing and smoking tobacco create this cosmetic issue.

Avoid sweets to prevent Streptococcus mutations from multiplying in your mouth. Plaque and gingivitis contribute. After drinking or eating sugar, brush your teeth.

• Expert whitening

Professional whitening, done in-office by a dentist, speeds up the process. Your dentist will apply hydrogen peroxide. Certain products may require heat and specialized light to bleach faster. Professional-only products have a higher whitener concentration, desensitizer, and a tray to promote whitener adhesion. Safe when done by a dentist.