The American dental industry is now worth over $159 billion. It continues to grow because people are now more aware of their dental health.
Your smile is one of your greatest assets. It can influence your social life, career, and even your relationships. You can lighten your mood and boost your confidence.
When your smile is dull, you might be doing something wrong. Would you like to avoid discolored teeth? If so, continue reading below for a quick guide.
What Is Teeth Discoloration?
Tooth discoloration can darken the teeth or turn into different colors like yellow. It can also cause dark or white spots to develop.
Discoloration of the teeth falls into three categories. They are extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related discoloration.
Extrinsic Discoloration
Extrinsic discoloration affects the enamel, the surface layer of your teeth. Some common causes include foods, drinks, and tobacco.
Intrinsic Discoloration
Intrinsic discoloration is within the tooth. As a result, these stains are resistant to over-the-counter whitening products.
Stains from certain medications, trauma, or tooth injuries are intrinsic. Tooth decay and genetics are also common causes. Exposure to excessive fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water also falls in this category.
Age-Related Discoloration
Age-related stains happen when the teeth begin to wear away. These types of discoloration can also be from extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Various situations cause teeth discoloration. It could be accidental incidents or lifestyle options. These are some reasons that may cause teeth discoloration.
Cigarettes
In America, 14% of people 18 years and older smoke cigarettes. Smoking tobacco is one of the causes of teeth discoloration. The causes of teeth staining in smokers are nicotine and tar.
The tar in cigarettes adds a brown stain to the teeth. When nicotine combines with oxygen, the color becomes yellow instead.
Genetics
Genetics can also affect the color of a person’s teeth. People can inherit yellow teeth, making whitening toothpaste ineffective. These conditions also increase the person’s risk for tooth decay and breakage.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can cause permanent teeth discoloration, especially for children. It happens when a child takes antibiotics during their tooth development stage. Specific antibiotic compounds bind to calcium in the developing teeth.
Injuries
Trauma can also cause teeth discoloration in children. Sports injuries can disturb the enamel formation in teeth. Trauma can also impact the blood flow that can cause damage to the nerves.
Food and Beverages
Some food and drink can also cause teeth discoloration. Foods with natural color may cause temporary stains on the teeth. Examples include tomato, soy sauce, beets, and even coffee.
Aging Process
When a person ages, the outer layer of enamel on their teeth wears away. It exposes the yellow dentin on the teeth. Age also reduces the translucence of the teeth, making them look darker.
Meaning of Teeth Stains
The color of teeth stains could also indicate its cause. Here are some points to consider:
Yellow to Yellowish-Brown
Yellow or yellowish-brown stains come from specific medications. Traumatic injuries and intra-canal medicaments can also cause this discoloration.
Brown
Brown spots can be from tobacco use. Drinks like tea, coffee, soda, and red wine can also cause brown stains. Tartar buildup and untreated tooth decay are other reasons for teeth discoloration.
Orange
Orange or orange-red stains may be from the lack of proper oral hygiene. It can also be from a root canal cement or traumatic injuries.
Gray
Gray teeth stains can be from materials like silver nitrate or lead. People undergoing treatments with mercury content could result in gray discolorations. Meanwhile, a root canal treatment could cause blackened teeth.
White
Fluoride causes teeth to have white spots. It happens when the teeth get too much fluoride from toothpaste. Drinking water with high fluoride levels could cause these spots as well.
Purple
People regularly drinking red wine can have purple teeth stains. These can also appear when they eat specific fruits and berries.
How to Prevent Teeth Discoloration
Adding a few lifestyle changes can help prevent teeth discoloration. The following are the best ways to get started:
Better Dental Hygiene
Improving your dental hygiene addresses minor stains from foods or drinks. Brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day can make a difference.
Use Straws
Drinking coffee and tea every day can have visible effects on the teeth. You can prevent these stains by using a straw. It will stop them from staining the tooth surface.
Avoid Smoking
Cutting back on cigarettes can also help restore the color of your teeth. This lifestyle change, combined with dental treatments, can ensure long-term dental health. After all, you will avoid getting the tar on your precious pearly whites.
Teeth Discoloration Treatment
There are products available in the market to treat teeth discoloration. Consider any of these options to get a healthier, whiter smile:
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter products like whitening toothpaste and strips can help address minor stains. These products can remove surface stains. The results from these products may only last for a short time.
At-Home Treatments
Dentists can also provide at-home treatments. You can use the custom trays and add gel then, wear it for up to an hour a day. You can usually see the results of these treatments after a few weeks.
In-Office Treatments
In-office treatments are one of the fastest ways to brighten teeth. Dentists usually use a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide to whiten the teeth. The results from in-office treatments last longer compared to at-home treatments.
Visiting The Dental Team can help you choose a treatment for your needs. They offer cosmetic dentistry treatments to ensure your smile lasts for life.
Prevent Discolored Teeth Now
We hope you learned the causes of discolored teeth. Regardless, proper oral care is one of the top ways to maintain a radiant smile.
A regular visit to the dentist can help address your dental concerns before they become too severe. They can provide proper treatment to fix teeth discoloration.
Did you find this guide helpful? If so, consider reading our other posts today.
