Tooth discolouration is a natural part of life. Over time, everything we eat and drink contributes to some degree of staining. While most concerns about discolouration are cosmetic, in some cases, they may point to underlying dental issues. That’s why it’s important to seek advice from a dental professional.
In the meantime, let’s get up to speed on the causes of stained teeth and the available treatments to help you maintain a brighter, whiter, healthy smile.
Common Causes of Tooth Staining
Tooth staining can stem from lifestyle choices, age, medications,or dental conditions. Here are the most common culprits:
1. Foods and Drinks
Popular beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine are notorious for staining teeth. They contain chromogens—pigmented molecules that adhere to the enamel and darken its appearance.
2. Tobacco Use
Both smoking and chewing tobacco introduce tar and nicotine to your teeth. Tar is inherently dark, while nicotine turns yellowish when exposed to oxygen, both of which lead to noticeable staining.
3. Ageing
As enamel naturally wears down with age, the yellowish dentine beneath becomes more visible, giving teeth a darker appearance over time.
4. Medications
Some medications cause intrinsic staining, particularly when taken during tooth development. For instance:
o Antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline, if taken during pregnancy or early childhood, can cause permanent discolouration.
o Certain antihistamines, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications can also contribute to staining.
5. Trauma
Physical injury can cause a tooth to produce extra dentine, which darkens its appearance. Additionally, trauma may result in internal bleeding within the tooth, leading to intrinsic staining.
6. Environmental Factors
o Extrinsic Staining: Stains on the tooth’s surface caused by coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or environmental exposure (e.g., prolonged swimming in chlorinated pools).
o Intrinsic Staining: Stains within the tooth from trauma, medications, amalgam fillings, or previous dental procedures like root canals.
Treatment Options for Stained Teeth
To address tooth stains effectively, it’s essential to determine whether they are extrinsic (surface stains) or intrinsic (internal stains).
For Extrinsic Stains
• Whitening Toothpaste: Designed to address mild surface stains, these can improve tooth brightness with regular use.
• Professional Dental Cleans: A dentist can remove stubborn stains with specialized tools and techniques.
• Teeth Whitening Treatments: Professional in-chair or at-home whitening solutions provide dramatic results under expert supervision.
For Intrinsic Stains
• Internal Bleaching:
This specialized treatment lightens teeth from the inside out and is often recommended for discolouration caused by trauma or root canal procedures.
o A dentist inserts a whitening gel into the tooth where the nerve was previously located.
o The gel stays in place for several days to achieve optimal results.
o This process may need to be repeated before sealing the tooth with a filling.
o A crown or veneer might follow for added protection and aesthetics.
• Cosmetic Options:
Persistent intrinsic stains can be masked with porcelain veneers or dental crowns, providing both functional and cosmetic benefits.
If you’re concerned about the colour of your teeth and want to know more about tooth whitening options, speak to your dentist or dental hygienist. They can examine your teeth and, if appropriate, offer you tooth whitening treatment options to suit your needs.