Understanding the Different Types of Tooth Discolouration & Its Causes
From leaving first impressions to showing up at an interview for a job, your teeth are an important factor in your overall personality.
Imagine meeting someone for the first time, and the person doesn't seem to focus on anything else other than your discoloured teeth.
That memory would almost make you die of shame.
To avoid such self-esteem and vanity issues, you must know what causes tooth discolouration and how you can prevent that.
In this blog, you will learn everything about tooth discolouration.
Types of Tooth Discolouration
There are six different variations of tooth discolouration:
1.White
Too much fluoride can produce white patches on teeth.
Your teeth can get exposed to too much fluoride due to drinking water or excessive use of fluoride toothpaste or rinses. This condition is known as fluorosis.
2.Yellow
This is the most common tooth discolouration. Your teeth's white enamel surface may erode with age. Your teeth's yellow centre shows more clearly.
3.Brown
Teeth can develop brown spots by tobacco use, dark drinks like tea or coffee, and bad brushing practices. These habits cause not only discolouration but also tooth decay.
4.Green
This variation of front tooth discolouration occurs more in boys than girls. The reason behind it is the accumulation of bacteria or fungi like Penicillium and Aspergillus that grow in light.
If you fail to remove this bacteria while brushing, they stain the maxillary anterior teeth.
5.Black
Your teeth could become black or grey due to dental decay or pulp necrosis. The polyphenols in betel nut create a black layer on the teeth of betel chewers.
Moreover, exposure to supplements or minerals like iron, manganese, or silver in an industrial setting leads to the formation of a black layer on teeth.
6.Orange
It is a less common type of tooth discolouration. It happens when a chromogenic bacteria attacks the tooth.
What Causes Tooth Discolouration?
Surface stains, alterations in the composition of your teeth, or a mix of the two can bring on teeth discolouration.
The following are the primary types of tooth discolouration:
1.Extrinsic Tooth Stains
These are stains that are found on the outside of the tooth.
This type of discolouration happens when stain particles, including coloured leftovers from meals or beverages, accumulate in the protein layer covering the tooth enamel.
The most common causes of extrinsic teeth stains include tobacco use and frequent consumption of wine, cola beverages, coffee, and tea.
Regular dental cleanings and tooth-whitening toothpaste brushing are effective treatments for this kind of tooth discolouration.
2.Intrinsic Tooth Discolouration
It appears beneath the tooth's surface.
It happens when stain-causing particles penetrate the tooth's surface and gather inside the enamel.
Overuse of fluoride has also been linked to hypertension, particularly in young children.
Getting rid of this type of tooth discolouration is tough.
In many instances, it may become mandatory to bleach an intrinsic tooth stain using chemical teeth-whitening products.
3.Age-Related Teeth Stains
Intrinsic and extrinsic tooth discolouration contribute to age-related tooth stains.
With time, dentin, the tissue that makes up your teeth, naturally turns yellow. The layer of enamel covering our teeth thins with age, revealing the dentin underneath.
Most adult teeth will discolour with age due to a combination of intrinsic discolouration factors and external factors like tobacco use, certain meals, and drinks.
4.Trauma
Dental emergencies like falling, chipping, or sustaining other damage can cause tooth discolouration.
Tooth discolouration after trauma can happen to anyone, regardless of age.
5.Diseases Causing Discolouration
Your teeth' colour may change due to certain medical illnesses that affect the tooth enamel.
For instance, celiac disease can cause yellow, white, or brown spots on teeth.
Other conditions that cause tooth discolouration include eating problems, rickets, liver illness, and metabolic diseases.
6.Several Drugs
Many medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications, can cause discolouration.
Similar effects may occur if antibiotics like doxycycline are exposed during pregnancy or before the age of eight.
The same is true for other medical interventions, like radiation therapy to the head and neck or chemotherapy.
7.Hereditary
Genes play a role in the brightness and thickness of your enamel and can significantly affect the perceived colour of your teeth.
Two dental conditions are passed down to generations–dentinogenesis imperfecta and amelogenesis imperfecta.
AI leads to soft and fragile enamel, causing tooth discolouration. Similarly, DI causes grey tooth discolouration.
Prevention of Tooth Discolouration: Two Effective Methods
One of the best precautions you can take is to stay away from foods and beverages that contain stain indicators.
If you are unable to avoid certain foods, be sure to rinse, brush, and floss afterwards.
1.Over-The-Counter Solutions
Although whitening toothpaste and strips probably won't remove intrinsic stains, they might lessen surface stains on your teeth.
To ensure it's safe, see your dentist before using any teeth-whitening products.
2.Maintaining Oral Hygiene
Make it a habit to rinse after every meal and to brush and floss well at least twice a day.
Improving your dental hygiene can help minimize or even reverse some of the consequences of any yellowing or decline in the appearance of your teeth.
Additionally, going for frequent dental cleanups prevents discolouration.
FAQs
Does discolouration highlight a dental health problem?
If the discolouration occurs suddenly, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should visit a dental clinic.
How do dentists address discolouration?
A dentist may use bleaching teeth whitening procedures like using a bleaching agent to lighten and eliminate stains from the teeth, giving them a whiter, brighter appearance.
How effective are over-the-counter teeth-whitening products?
For light discolouration, over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments can work well. If the stains are tedious, only a dentist can help.
Summary
That was a detailed account of what causes tooth discolouration and the simple treatments.
If you are losing confidence because of your teeth, come to KWC Dental for a radiant smile.
With us, your smile won't be anything less than perfect.