Don’t let teeth stains get in the way of a great smile! Here is everything you need to know about teeth staining and how you can keep your smile squeaky clean!
There are many reasons why patients experience tooth staining. For example, food and drink choices play a big role in this as well as oral hygiene and medication use.
Tooth stains can develop on the surface of the tooth or below the tooth enamel.
What are the main causes of tooth stains?
There are three main categories of tooth discoloration:
- Extrinsic teeth stains: This is where stains are found on the surface of the tooth. It occurs because of particles (commonly food and drink) building up over the tooth enamel. Regular tobacco use, coffee and tea, wine and cola drinks typically cause these types of stains.
If you have an extrinsic teeth stain, regular dental cleaning and the use of whitening toothpaste will reduce this.
- Intrinsic teeth stains: This is where the stain appears below the surface of the tooth and accumulates within the tooth’s enamel. This type of tooth stain has been linked with excessive fluoride use.
Intrinsic stains are more difficult to remove compared to extrinsic. They may require bleaching using professional products.
- Age-related teeth stains: This is a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic tooth discoloration. The core tissue of your teeth naturally turns yellow over time causing your teeth to discolour with age. Equally, the enamel on your teeth becomes thinner as you age which will allow the yellowing core to show. When these intrinsic stains are combined with extrinsic causes such as the consumption of certain foods and beverages, most adult’s teeth will discolour with age.
How can I reduce teeth stains?
- Drink using a straw: When drinking fizzy and sugary drinks try to use a straw (preferably environmentally friendly!) so that the liquid won’t touch the visible front surfaces of your teeth.
- Have a consistent dental hygiene routine: Brush, floss and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to fight plaque daily. Plaque is bad for your teeth and encourages stains by being sticky and giving stains something to hold on to.
- Regular check-ups and professional cleans: By getting your teeth cleaned at least twice a year by a dental hygienist, it will help clear bacteria and keep your mouth healthy.
- Use professional teeth-whitening methods: teeth-whitening works well if your teeth have started to turn yellow, if they are brown this may take longer.
For patients in Oxfordshire, get your appointment booked in with us today to keep your smile shining! ☺
