The difficulty in recognizing signs is a crucial reason why people worldwide tend to neglect their oral health. The shade of one’s teeth is one of the most noticeable and concerning. You would be surprised by how widespread the problem of teeth stains is. One of the most common signs of a cavity is this. Dental colors serve as a diagnostic meter, allowing a dentist in Grand Haven, MI to zero in on the exact source of a patient’s pain.
How does discoloration of teeth occur?
Several things can lead to discoloration of teeth. However, we have listed the most important ones below:
- Consumables – Some of the most common offenders include red wine, coffee, and tea. However, beets, cherries, pomegranates, and even artificial food colors can leave a noticeable mark. Bad bacteria can cause tooth decay and discoloration, and sugary meals are known to do just that. Acidic foods can cause corrosion and browning of the enamel.
- Tobacco and areca nut—Tobacco, when smoked or chewed, discolors teeth severely and gets worse over time. Some people also have a tendency to discolor their teeth from consuming areca nuts.
- Trauma and injury- teeth discoloration can result from trauma or injury to the teeth. Teeth that have been fractured or chipped tend to discolor just where the damage was. Discolorations can occur even after trauma has caused internal damage to the tooth.
- Tooth discoloration can be a side effect of some medical procedures. drugs that stain teeth include those used for chemotherapy, antihistamines, blood pressure, antipsychotics, and tetracycline-based drugs. If applied in excess, fluoride treatment—which is essential for oral health—can produce an unsightly white stain. Oxidation can cause dark stains in teeth caused by silver-containing fillings.
- Tooth discoloration can also be caused by iron deposits. Foods rich in iron, such as legumes, spinach, liver, red meat, etc., as well as iron supplements and even water, are potential sources of iron.
- The unexpected addition of dry mouth to the list is worth noting. Teeth discoloration is the result of enamel deterioration, which is brought on by an excessively dry mouth.
Is there a range of possible stains?
Two primary types of tooth discoloration exist. Here they are:
- Plaque and other surface stains on the teeth enamel are examples of extrinsic stains. Pigments and particles in food, drink, and cigarette smoke are the most common causes. Typically, only a little bit of therapy is enough to remove them.
- Caused from beneath the tooth’s enamel, these stains are known as intrinsic stains. Dental injuries, drugs, excessive fluoride treatment, tooth decay, and other similar issues require expert medical attention.