Types of Teeth Stains

It’s typical to experience tooth discoloration and stains on your teeth, which can occur from several different causes.

Though numerous factors can lead to tooth discoloration, are you aware of the different types of stains on teeth? Based on the sort of staining you have, there may be several treatments for tooth discoloration. Let’s explore the different types of dental stains in more detail.

There are three different types of dental stains:

Extrinsic Stains
Intrinsic Stains
Age-related Stains

Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic tooth discoloration can happen when the enamel, the tooth’s outer covering, becomes stained due to lifestyle and diet behaviors like smoking, drinking coffee, wine, and cola, as well as ingesting other foods and beverages. Yellow teeth caused by extrinsic dental stains are visible on the tooth’s exterior.

Intrinsic Stains

When the dentin, also termed the tooth’s interior, darkens or acquires a yellow tinge, it results in intrinsic tooth discoloration. Certain drugs, dental trauma or injury, dental decay, and the overuse of fluoride can all contribute to this. Because they are set in the tooth’s structure, it is challenging to remove these stains from teeth.

Age-Related Stains

Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to age-related tooth stains. Besides the beverages and foods that stain teeth, the dentin underlying the enamel can also gradually turn yellow. The tooth’s outer covering, called enamel, thins with age, leaving the discolored dentin below to peek through.

What Causes Stains on Teeth?

Discolored teeth can result from multiple factors, some of which can be avoided by using dental tips and others that may be beyond your control.

Foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, dark-colored sodas, red wine, and dark-colored fruits like Blueberries, can result in stained teeth.
Chewing tobacco and cigarette smoking can result in black cavities and staining between the teeth.
Plaque can accumulate on the teeth due to poor dental care, such as improper brushing and flossing, which can discolor the teeth.
Antihistamines, chemotherapy, high blood pressure drugs, and some antipsychotic drugs can occasionally stain teeth.

How to Remove Spots from Teeth?

To clean stained teeth, brush twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, and floss frequently. Moreover, routine dental checkups enable your dentist to examine your mouth’s overall health and do a proper cleaning and polish.

However, having a professional whitening treatment is the most efficient approach to fixing spots on teeth. Teeth whitening is a popular, secure, and efficient approach to brighten your smile and increase your self-assurance. Teeth whitening at the dental office will enhance the natural look of your smile without harming or removing the tooth’s surface.

Some dentists can create customized trays for you to wear at home to brush your teeth. You’ll fill the tray with gel and place it over your teeth for up to an hour each day, or as your dentist advises. For the results, you might need to wear the trays for a few weeks.

Some teeth whitening products can also help you in removing teeth stains. Although whitening toothpaste and strips may be able to reduce surface stains, they are significantly less efficient at removing intrinsic stains that are present deep within your teeth.

Wrap Up

Anyone can get tooth discoloration for multiple causes as it is a common condition. With teeth whitening products or procedures, stains that develop on the surface of your teeth can be treated. Your dentist can perform them, or you can try products you can use at home.

Your dentist can provide you with guidance on the most effective treatment for different types of stains. Call or come to our office for the best dental care in Seattle.

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