Tooth stains are discolorations or color changes in the tooth enamel. These stains can be of different colors, such as lighter than the tooth or brown. In this article we will explain the causes of stains on teeth and possible solutions.
Causes of stains on teeth
- Diet: Coffee, tea, and other foods with dark pigmentation can stain the tooth surface and make it dark. On the contrary, acidic foods can erode the enamel layer so the yellow dentin begins to become transparent.
- Medications: Some medications can stain the tooth surface such as tetracyclines.
- Trauma: Blows to the teeth can cause the nerve to “die” (necrose) and change its natural color, gradually becoming very dark.
- Cavities: If cavities are not treated in time, they can cause decalcification of the enamel and thus cause white spots.
Other causes are excess fluoride or lack of calcium and iron.
How do you fix stained teeth?
Once the dentist diagnoses the cause of the stains, she can propose the most appropriate solution. The most common are dental prophylaxis, teeth whitening, restorations with resins and veneers.
- Dental prophylaxis: This process removes tartar and pigmentation adhered to the surface of the tooth that has adhered to the teeth. It is not possible to remove tartar with normal brushing, so the dentist uses special equipment to allow easy removal. For more information on dental cleaning, click here.
- Teeth whitening: Through teeth whitening, all teeth are lightened, which hides stains on the teeth to a certain degree.
- Restorations with resins: This is done in case of cavities. The area affected by cavities is removed and resin is used to restore it. This resin is the color of the patient’s tooth so the stains will disappear.
- Veneers: For noticeable stains, dental veneers are most recommended. Because veneers are thin and translucent to make them look natural, whitening will likely be performed first to lighten the tooth as much as possible before placing the dental veneer.
Before and after braces and veneers
How do you prevent stains from appearing again?
- The key to preventing the reappearance of stains is good dental hygiene.
- Reduce consumption of foods that have intense pigmentation or coloring. Some examples are wine, coffee, and soft drinks.
- Avoid tobacco.
Schedule your appointment at our dental clinic for a dental evaluation and see which solutions are best for you. Forget about your stained teeth with us. Contact WhatsApp, and we will happily assist you at our dental clinic in Lima, Peru.