Yellow vs White tooth illustration
Stains or discolouration on the teeth can affect your smile. It is a common problem many of us face and can cause irritation or embarrassment. However, not all stains are created equal. There are many different types of teeth discolouration. They include brown stains, white spots, bands or even yellow teeth.
The good news is that there are several ways to remove teeth stains or to cover them up. Thus, it helps to understand the nature of the stains to deal with them effectively.
Types of Teeth Stains
Although many different factors can cause teeth stains, there are only two major types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Changes in the colour of your teeth can be a result of one type or the other or be a combination of the two.
Intrinsic Teeth Stains
While extrinsic teeth stains form on the outside of the teeth, intrinsic stains develop from within the teeth. An intrinsic stain occurs when something inside the tooth has changed. In some cases, it might be that the dentin, the hard tissue beneath the enamel, has changed colour. If you take certain medications, your dentin can become yellower or greyer. It can show through the enamel, depending on the thickness of the enamel. This gives your teeth a yellow or grey tint.
Although fluoride is an important mineral for our teeth and can help prevent cavities, getting too much fluoride at a certain age can also affect the colour of the teeth. People who ingested high amounts of fluoride as their teeth develop might have white or brown spots on their teeth.
Extrinsic Teeth Stains
Off Colour Dealing with Discolouration on the Teeth (Part 1) by Dr Raymond Lim
Extrinsic teeth stains build up on the teeth surface. Usually, an external factor causes an extrinsic teeth stain, such as food and drink. Smoking or using other forms of tobacco can also cause extrinsic stains on the teeth.
Extrinsic stains can come in a variety of colours. Yellow and brown stains are the most common. Foods, such as chocolate and drinks like tea and coffee, often cause the
teeth to turn yellow. Brushing the teeth and flossing can help to remove the source of the stains and improve the colour of the teeth. If a person does not practise oral hygiene at home, the surface stains can build up and eventually turn brown. People who drink a lot of red wine might also notice that their teeth have a purple tint due to staining from the wine. Beyond these causes, other causes of extrinsic teeth stains include bacteria and exposure to certain minerals.
Age-Related Teeth Stains
Age-related teeth stains often develop as a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Drinking coffee, tea and wine, having a tobacco habit, and eating stain-causing foods for years can make you more likely to have extrinsic stains. As you grow older, your dentin is more likely to change colour as well, becoming yellower or darker. The enamel is also likely to become thinner.
The amount of discolouration you experience as you get older depends on the original colour of your teeth and your lifestyle habits. You can minimise the effects of staining by avoiding tobacco products, and foods and drinks that contribute to discolouration. Professional teeth whitening can also help you to get a brighter smile. PRIME
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