WHAT CAUSES TEETH TO STAIN
13th March 2021
Teeth stain for various reasons and the most common factor includes your food and drink selection, oral hygiene, and medication use. Teeth stains typically occur on the surface of the tooth or below the tooth enamel and some may even develop both types of teeth stains.
STAINING CAUSES
Teeth stains have many causes. Certain foods and drinks can cause teeth to stain particularly easier such as coffee and tea. Aside from that, tooth discoloration is also a product of several biological factors, including the translucency of your tooth enamel. Chemical compounds called chromogens give certain foods and drinks their strong colour, and these can stain our teeth. Foods and drinks containing a substance called tannin can also make your teeth much more likely to stain. Acids can wear down your teeth, increasing the chances of stains setting in. In general, if something could stain your clothes or your tongue, the chances are it's also going to stain your teeth. We have prepared a guided list below so that it can help you identify the cause of discolored teeth, and in many cases, help prevent further discoloring of it;
- Food & Drink : Coffee, tea, cola, red wine, curry, balsamic vinegar and even a few fruits and vegetables are proven causes of discolored teeth.
- Tobacco : Both cigarettes and chewing tobacco can contribute to discolored teeth.
- Oral Care : Poor dental hygiene, such as inadequate brushing or flossing, can lead to tooth discoloration.
- Trauma or Disease : Any trauma, illness, or disease that affects enamel development in children, either in the womb or while teeth are developing (under the age of 8) can cause discolored teeth. Dental trauma to adult can also lead to discolored teeth. In addition, there are a few diseases and illness treatments that can stain your teeth such as Chemotherapy and etc.
- Medical Treatments : Sometimes medical treatments can contribute to teeth stain, and several classes of medications including high blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, antihistamines and some antipsychotic medications can cause it.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT TEETH STAINING?
Although certain things can make you more prone to staining, the biggest factor by far is poor oral hygiene. Here are a few simple measures you can take to help keep your teeth sparkling white.
- If you have tooth staining because you consume plenty of a certain food or drink, try to limit it or look for alternatives. For example, substitution of a normal cup of tea for a light herbal tea or flavoured hot water.
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking something that may stain your teeth.
- Use a straw when drinking cola or juice that may stain your teeth.
- Chewing gum that contains xylitol can help to stimulate more saliva, which cleanses your mouth.
- Eat plenty of crunchy fruit and vegetable like apples, carrots and celery as they boost saliva and scrub your teeth, acting as natural stain removers.
- Consult with our dental clinic and we will recommend some products that you can try to reduce staining. Also, Q & M dentists can tell you more about our professional cleaning, tooth whitening and other related services.
Caring for your teeth is an important part of looking after your overall health. At Q & M, we care not just for your teeth but also your wellbeing as a whole. Do consult us to know more on how we can help in getting rid of those stubborn stains.
Visit our page at Services to know more on how you can schedule a visit with us. Let our cosmetic dentistry make your teeth and smile great!
Disclaimer : All information provided is based on best practices and knowledge. There is no guarantee in any of the statement as provided.
