Teeth Discoloration Treatment: Effective Methods for Every Situation

Teeth discoloration is a common problem that can affect people of all ages. It can be caused by various things, including smoking, drinking coffee and tea, and eating certain foods. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for treating teeth discoloration. This blog post will discuss the different types of teeth discoloration, the most popular treatment methods, and how they work.

Tooth Discoloration
Tooth Staining Types
Tooth Discoloration Causes
Causes of Discoloration by Color
How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration
Tooth Discoloration Treatments

Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration is when the color of your teeth changes. They don’t look as bright or white as they should. Your teeth may darken, turn from white to different colors, or develop white or dark spots in places.

Tooth Staining Types

Tooth discoloration falls into three categories: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.

Extrinsic discoloration. With extrinsic tooth discoloration, the stains are only affecting the tooth enamel or the surface of the tooth. The most common causes of extrinsic stains include:

food
beverages
tobacco

Intrinsic discoloration. This type of stain is located within the tooth, making it more resistant to over-the-counter whitening products. It often appears grayish. Examples of intrinsic stains include:

certain medications
trauma or injury to a tooth
tooth decay
too much fluoride
genetics

Age-related. When you age, the enamel on your teeth begins to wear away, resulting in a yellow appearance. Often, age-related discoloration may be caused by extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

Tooth Discoloration Causes

There are many reasons why your teeth may darken. Some we can’t control, such as age or accidents when we are young. These may disturb our tooth enamel’s development. That’s why it’s important to discuss any plans you have for whitening your teeth with your dentist.

Although teeth whitening is usually done for cosmetic reasons, your dentist can guide you on your options for treating the type of staining you have. The good news is that reversing teeth stains is within our reach in many cases. That makes pursuing a healthy white smile worthwhile.

Uncontrollable circumstances

Aging. The outer enamel layer on your teeth wears away as you get older, revealing the yellow dentin beneath. As you grow old, your tooth pulp gets smaller. The translucency of the tooth decreases, making it appear darker.

Genetics. Enamel thickness and whiteness vary from family to family.

Lifestyle habits

Food and drink consumption. Stains may be caused by coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain starchy foods like pasta or potatoes. You can discolor teeth if you consume more than enough.

Smoking. Teeth may be stained by smoking or chewing tobacco.

Dental issues

Poor dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day may help prevent plaque and food stains from developing. Skipping professional dental cleanings might also allow stains to develop.

Treatment for other diseases. Tooth discoloration can be caused by many factors, including illnesses that prevent normal tooth enamel (the white outer layer of your teeth) and dentin (the more porous “yellower” core under the enamel) from developing properly. Teeth discoloration can result from various medical therapies, including head and neck radiation and chemotherapy. Some infections during pregnancy may cause your kid’s enamel to deteriorate and stain their teeth.

Medication. It’s been known for a long time that several medicines damage teeth in infants. Antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline can cause enamel formation problems in youngsters under the age of 8. Chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride mouth rinses and washes can also stain teeth. Antihistamines, psychotropic medications, and antihypertensive drugs can all cause teeth discoloration.

Tooth restorations. A gray-black tint to your teeth might be caused by amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing dental materials.

Environment. When tooth formation is complete, excessive fluoridation from environmental sources (high fluoride levels in water) or excessive application of (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste) can result in fluorosis, which appears like white spots on teeth.

Accidents. Children may be struck in the mouth while playing sports. The impact can cause enamel formation to be affected. Trauma can also discolor adult teeth when a sports injury or other impact causes blood flow to decrease to the tooth or the nerve to die.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration by Color

How the color of your teeth changes may help point to the cause:

Yellow. The enamel of your teeth may wear down as you get older. The yellow core of your teeth becomes more apparent.

Brown. Teeth may become brown due to tobacco, dark beverages like tea or coffee, and non-brushing practices that promote tooth decay.

White. Excess fluoride consumption can also cause white spots on baby teeth, known as fluorosis. It occurs when teeth come into touch with too much fluoride from drinking water or excessive use of fluoride rinses or toothpaste.

Black. Teeth discoloration or necrosis can result from tooth decay or pulp necrosis. Talk to your oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist if this is the case. Chewing betel nuts might also cause teeth to blacken. A black line may appear on your teeth after being exposed to minerals like iron, manganese, or silver in industrial environments or via any supplements.

Purple. The color of your drink can stain the enamel of your teeth after consuming red wine.

How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration

Fight back if your teeth have stains that are getting in the way of a great smile. You’ve got many ways to brighten them up and keep the shine from going away.

Things you eat or drink that can leave a mark on your hands or clothes can also stain your choppers. That’s why it’s a good idea to brush or rinse your mouth after you’ve enjoyed them.
If you’re a coffee drinker or smoker, consider cutting back or quitting.
Drink with a straw. This can help keep stains away when drinking soda, juice, iced coffee, or tea. The liquid won’t get near the visible front surfaces of your teeth.
Improve your good dental hygiene routine by brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash daily. All three can help you fight dental caries and plaque, a white, hard material that forms on your teeth. It makes them sticky and gives stains something to hold on to.
Have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist every six months. It will keep your mouth healthy and give you a brighter smile.
If the color of your stained teeth changes without ready explanation and other symptoms are also present, make an appointment to see your dentist.

Tooth Discoloration Treatments

How do you treat tooth discoloration? Treatment options to whiten teeth can vary depending on the cause of the surface stains and may include:

At-home solutions:

Want to do your tooth whitening procedure yourself? Try:

Using tooth brushing and flossing techniques
Avoiding the foods and beverages that cause stains
Using over-the-counter whitening agents. They might make your teeth sensitive, but this side effect usually disappears after the bleaching period. If your gums get irritated and develop gum disease, talk to your dentist.
In-home whitening toothpastes and agents purchased from your dentist

Professional whitening treatments:

In-office teeth whitening procedures. If you get your teeth bleached at your dentist’s office, it may take one or more visits. They will put a protective gel or rubber shield on your gums and then apply a bleaching agent to your discolored teeth. They can also make a custom-fitted tray that you can use at home with whitening gel. They can also recommend enamel microabrasion to polish your teeth.
Bonding. A dentist or prosthodontist fuses material to stained areas of your teeth to change their color or shape.
Crowns. These dental caps are placed to protect, cover, and restore damaged teeth and can whiten your smile. Your dentist can customize a crown’s color to match your other teeth.
Veneers. Instant tooth discolouration and aesthetic remedy! A dentist or prosthodontist puts a thin shell of material over the entire front of your tooth to change the color or shape.

Having a healthy white smile is all the rage these days. Just make sure you’re smart about saving your smile. Don’t use DIY dental whiteners or over-the-counter home whitening kits without talking to your dentist first. Knowing the right ways to whiten safely will keep you smiling brightly for a long time.