Top 5 Causes of Teeth Staining

We all are gifted with dazzling teeth till they become stained and start discoloring with increasing age or excessive use of nicotine and caffeine. The outermost covering of teeth, enamel, protects our teeth from various trauma and acid attacks due to the effects of different foods. But the enamel gradually starts decaying, contributing to the discoloring of the teeth, revealing the inner dentin which is yellow in color. Thus at the end, we are left with ugly and discolored teeth. To avoid this situation, it is necessary to educate ourselves more about the causes of tooth staining.

Old age comes with a lot of health problems and teeth discoloration is one of them. It has been predominantly seen in old age people as compared to young ones. Teeth whitening kits work more effectively and immediately for teenagers. But as the age increases, it requires more effort to fix the discoloration. It has been detected that people who used the whitening kits in their twenties fail to get the quick result unlike teenagers. Till twenties, it is the yellow color of the teeth that troubles the most. But in forties, the brown color takes the place of yellow which looks nastier. Shockingly, in fifties, stains become more obdurate which become very difficult to eradicate.

Diet plays an important role in eroding the enamel. Continuous intake of coffee, tea, cola, red wine, carrots, oranges, and other dark-colored food and beverages contributes to extensive staining. Additionally, acidic food like citrus fruits and vinegar intensifies the process of enamel erosion. Therefore, the upper layer of the teeth become more transparent exposing the yellow-colored dentin layer.

Smoking invites tooth discoloration along with fatal diseases. Cigarette contains nicotine that imparts brownish deposits which gradually soak into the teeth structure and finally results in staining. Chewing tobacco leaves also has the same effect on teeth.

Drugs in many cases cause tooth damage. Both illegal as well as prescription drugs cause tooth damage. Medicines like Aspirin, Antihistamines, Asthma drugs, and Syrups have a bad effect on teeth. Continuous use of illegal drugs such as Cocaine, Crack cocaine, Ecstasy, Methamphetamine, and Heroin also strongly help cause tooth decay. Chemicals like fluoride found in many tooth pastes and water supplies cause white or discolored spot on the teeth surface through fluorosis.

Teeth grinding facilitates micro-cracking in the teeth and even causes the biting edges to darken. It is generally caused by gashing and bruxing. Sometimes injury caused by sudden accident creates crack in the teeth which eventually collect stains and debris in large quantity.

It is surprising that sometimes even dental treatments cause discoloration. White fillings of the teeth have been commonly reported to experience staining. Though not directly visible, metal fillings too assist in discoloration of the teeth.

Naturally, we all are born with teeth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey. Over the years, the color pattern changes due to the interference of physical and chemical agents. We can easily avoid discoloration if we take a little care of our teeth.

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Teeth Whitening – The Causes Of Teeth Staining

No matter how fastidious a person is, the teeth will always change its appearance and color. The youthful glow and sparkle of young teeth will in time lost its sheen as the enamel starts developing tiny cracks that will eventually lose the crystalline rods in the tooth, thinning the enamel making the teeth more transparent and showing through the yellowish color of the dentin. Even discounting this natural aging of the teeth, eating habits, food choices, medication, lifestyles, health conditions and many other factors will develop the tiny cracks in the enamel allowing debris to accumulate between the spaces staining the teeth.

Extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining are the two basic types at which the teeth develop stains and discoloration.

Extrinsic stains are developed in the surface of the teeth that resulted from the accumulation of food debris and color. While superficial stains and discoloration could be removed by prophylactic cleaning and brushing, there are stains that are a little more stubborn and could accumulate between the spaces of the tiny cracks in the tooth that would need bleaching to remove the stains. When the stains are not effectively removed and stays on the teeth for a period of time, this could penetrate deeper into the dentin which could require more involved methods.

Those stains that form beneath the enamel are intrinsic stains. Previously, intrinsic stains are believed to be resistant to treatments although today most of it could be removed with close supervision from qualified professionals. Intrinsic stains are caused by the natural process of aging, trauma to the tooth, exposure to drugs containing tetracycline and flourosis.

Other factor that stains the teeth is grinding. Grinding often attributed to stress accelerates micro cracking of the tooth enamel that will hold tiny debris to be accumulated. It also causes the edges of the tooth shade darker, faster. Another big factor is smoking. Nicotine is brownish in color that could stick in the enamel of the tooth and even soak in its structure causing internal discoloration. Red wine may be good for the heart but it contains a high concentration of tannins that causes staining fast.

DNA. All teeth are translucent to some degree. There are people though that are born with teeth that are more translucent than most. Teeth that are more translucent tend to show more staining than those with more opaque teeth.

Teeth transparency is the only known teeth condition today that could not benefit from teeth whitening and teeth bleaching. On the other hand, no amount of teeth bleaching will whiten teeth more than its natural color. In some cases, it could artificially be done but never recommended.

No matter how teeth whitening and bleaching is done, anything involving cosmetic enhancements and restoration is subjective that varies from person to person. There will always be limits to this that are often the cause of the feeling of well being or disappointment.

A good point therefore before any teeth whitening and bleaching is done is ask a realistic assessment from the dentist.

Teeth Stain And The Foods That Can Cause It

There are foods that ought to be avoided when it comes to maintaining healthy white teeth. There are even foods and beverages that can erode the enamel as much as any other food containing natural acid. Here is all of the foods and beverages that can stain the teeth and should be consumed appropriately:

1) Tea –

Tea can cause discoloration of the teeth more than coffee can stain it. There are also studies that prove that some herbal teas contain substances that can potentially strip the enamel of a tooth along with staining it. For iced tea and other carbonated drinks, you may use straw to reduce staining the teeth.

2) Energy drink –

Sports drinks are also acidic beverages which contain chemicals and vitamins which can erode the tooth enamel. It also contains food coloring which make it easier to stain the teeth once the enamel has been stripped off.

3) Sauces –

Food sauces especially those rich ones are some causes of teeth staining aside from being acidic such as tomato sauce and curry sauce. Some sauces have ingredients that are also known to be natural food colorings. You may consider lighter sauces or perhaps brush and rinse your teeth after every meal.

4) Wine And Alcoholic Beverages –

Highly acidic red wince may cause discoloration of the teeth as it contains chromogens and tanning. Just when you thought that white wine is safe, think again as this is more acidic and has more potential of staining your teeth.

5) Soda and Carbonated Beverages –

Carbonated beverages contain chromogens and acid that can discolor the teeth even if it does not contain dark food coloring. Some carbonated drinks are even found to be as acidic as battery acid and contain flavorings that also have the ability to strip off tooth enamel.

6) Fruit Berries –

Berries are one of the fruits which can cause stains on the teeth due to its highly pigmented molecules. Some examples of these are blackberries, blueberries, cherries, and pomegranates. Although some highly pigmented fruits seem to be of lighter colors, their acid content can still harm the tooth enamel. So make sure to brush after eating a slice of a blueberry pie.

7) Sweets And Candies –

Candies contain food coloring that can stain your teeth just like popsicles and chewing gums. Although the coloring may not be permanent but consuming this too often and gnawing on hard candies may damage the teeth and cause discoloration. So always rinse and brush after eating or chew sugarless gum to take off the food coloring and additives.

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