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What Causes Teeth Stains?
Teeth discolouration can occur due to a variety of factors. Some are uncontrollable, such as age or childhood mishaps, which might impair the formation of our tooth enamel.
That is why it is vital to consult with your dentist about any plans for teeth whitening. He or she can tell you whether your tooth darkening is due to lifestyle variables such as frequent coffee drinking, or whether it represents a dental health risk.
Although whitening is usually done for cosmetic reasons, your dentist may be able to advise you on the best treatment options based on the type of staining you have.
The good news is that we can often reverse dental discolouration. This makes pursuing a white, healthy smile appealing.
Tooth Stains Induced by Bad Habits:
Coffee, tea, colas, wines, and various starchy foods such as pasta or potatoes can all contribute to staining.
Tobacco consumption:
Tobacco use, whether smoking or chewing, can discolour teeth.
Tooth discolouration caused by poor dental hygiene
Inadequate dental hygiene: Forgetting to clean and floss your teeth can lead to the accumulation of plaque and food stains. Skipping professional dental cleanings can also lead to the formation of stains.
Diseases that inhibit the normal development of dental enamel (the white exterior of your teeth) and dentin (the more porous "yellower" substance beneath the enamel) can cause tooth discolouration. Some medical treatments, such as head and neck radiation and chemotherapy, can discolour teeth.
Some illnesses in pregnant women can impair your baby's enamel growth and discolour its teeth.
Medications:
Certain medicines have long been recognised for discolour teeth in growing children. Tetracycline and doxycycline medications can have an effect on enamel formation in children under the age of eight.
Chlorhexidine and cetyl pyridinium chloride-containing mouth rinses and washes can also discolour teeth. Antihistamines (such as Benadryl®), antipsychotic medications, and antihypertensive pharmaceuticals can all induce tooth discolouration.
Dental materials:
Some amalgam restorations, particularly those containing silver sulphide, might give your teeth a grey-black tint.
Ageing causes the outer layer of enamel on your teeth to wear away, exposing the yellow dentin beneath.
Your tooth dentin also expands with age, reducing the size of the pulp. The tooth's translucency decreases, making it appear darker.
Thicker and whiter enamel is inherited in some families.
Fluorosis can be caused by too much fluoride during tooth formation, either from environmental sources (high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride treatments, rinses, toothpaste).
Trauma: Children can be smacked in the mouth during sports. If they are under the age of eight, the injury can disrupt enamel production.
When a sports injury or other impact causes the blood supply to the tooth to decline or the nerve to die, trauma can also discolour adult teeth.
Are Stained Teeth Unhealthy?
As the various causes of stained teeth demonstrate, there is no simple answer to this topic. Your dentist is the only one who can provide a solution.
Healthy teeth can get discoloured, whereas bad teeth might become white. There is just no way to generalize about your teeth's health based on their colour.
However, certain stains can suggest an underlying health issue that you should be concerned about.
Your teeth can reflect your general health, therefore you should pay particular attention to any stains that appear on them. However, only a dentist can tell you if your teeth are truly healthy.
How to Prevent Teeth Stains?
Stains are easier to avoid than to remove. That is why, whether you have stains and are having them removed or you already have a dazzling, white smile, prevention is critical. Consider the following suggestions to avoid stains.
Avoid or limit your coffee, red wine, colas, and tea consumption. If you enjoy these beverages or can't live without your morning cup of joe, drinking water and rinsing your mouth may help, at least until you can clean and floss your teeth.
Unless your dentist advises otherwise, have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. Discolouration can be avoided with regular dental cleanings.
Maintain proper dental hygiene. Make it a habit to floss daily, brush your teeth twice daily, and use mouthwash daily. Using whitening toothpaste or mouthwash can also help to prevent stains from setting in deeper.
Put an end to bad habits like smoking and using cigarettes. We understand that this can be difficult for anyone who uses these products, but it will not only benefit your oral health but will also enhance your whole health.
Final Thoughts
As a first line of defence, use whitening toothpaste, strips, and other whitening treatments. If these at-home treatments are ineffective, our dentist may recommend professional teeth whitening.
Dental bonding, veneers, or crowns may be an option for highly discoloured teeth that do not respond to whitening procedures. However, because these are expensive choices, most patients start with whitening.
Remember that if you have dental bonding, crowns, or veneers, you will need to modify your behaviours after the treatment.
This is because dental restoration alternatives cannot be whitened once they have been installed. Limiting beverages that stain, tobacco use, and maintaining good oral hygiene are vital habits to establish.
Nowadays, having a healthy white smile is all the rage. Just be cautious about preserving your smile.
Use DIY teeth whiteners or over-the-counter home whitening kits only after consulting with your dentist. Knowing how to safely whiten your teeth will keep you smiling for a long time.
