Are you concerned about the color of your teeth not being white? Don’t fret! The color of your teeth is not necessarily an indicator of their health. Many people mistakenly believe that having yellowish teeth signifies unhealthy dental conditions. In reality, the enamel, which is the outer layer of every tooth, naturally has a white hue. However, the underlying dentin can possess a slightly yellowish tint. This subtle yellowish color is visible through the enamel in almost everyone, but it may be more noticeable in those with thinner or more translucent enamel. So, if your teeth appear to be light yellow, light gray, or white in color, it could very well be perfectly normal due to your genetics. The strongest teeth are those that are natural and healthy, free from any decay, gum disease, or misalignment. It’s important to remember that oral health takes precedence over the natural color of your teeth. Nevertheless, we all aspire to have a bright and confident smile. Unfortunately, teeth stains, whether they are extrinsic or intrinsic, can sometimes hinder us from achieving that perfect smile. Stains on teeth can not only affect our self-esteem but also signal underlying dental issues. There are two main types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the details of both types of teeth stains, exploring their causes, prevention techniques, and effective treatment options.
This post may contain affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) for purchases made through links. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Learn more on our Disclaimer page.
What is teeth stain or discoloration?
Teeth staining or discoloration can occur when teeth appear significantly darker than their natural color or exhibit unusual shades like black, brown, green, or blue. This can result from abnormal factors, either internal (developmental) or external (environmental) in nature.
Causes of Tooth Stains and Discoloration
Our teeth and mouth are continuously exposed to various external (environmental) and internal (inside the body) factors. Extrinsic stains, originating from external sources such as food and tobacco, affect the outer surfaces of teeth. Intrinsic stains, caused by internal factors like fluoride in water or medications, impact the inner surfaces of teeth and can be visible through transparent enamel. Inner stains are typically permanent as they become integrated with the tooth’s mineral structure. Most types of intrinsic stains occur during tooth formation, primarily from birth to 8 years of age when calcification and development take place. Once teeth are fully formed, the likelihood of intrinsic stains forming is typically limited to cases of deep decay, silver fillings, or tooth injuries. Extrinsic stains are common and can develop throughout one’s life. The good news is that many of these stains and discolorations are preventable and treatable.
Extrinsic Teeth Stains: Surface-Level Discoloration
Extrinsic teeth stains are the most common type and occur on the outer layer of the tooth, known as the enamel i.e., outer surfaces of teeth. These stains are often caused by our daily habits and dietary choices.
Causes of Extrinsic Stains
- Foods and Beverages: Some foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored berries, chocolate, tomatoes, sauces, curries, turmeric, pickles, fruits, and beetroot, contain pigments that can adhere to the enamel, leading to yellow, brown, or purple stains.
- Tobacco or Betel Nut Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco exposes teeth to tars and resins, which not only causing yellowish-brown to blackish stains but also harm your oral as well as overall health.
- Color-Producing Germs: Certain bacteria can produce stains on teeth, manifesting as orange, green, brown, or black discolorations.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing allow plaque, tartar buildup and harmful germs, leading to yellowish stains on the teeth.
- Inadequate Oral Care: Irregular dental check-ups and cleanings can contribute to the development of surface stains over time.
- Medications: Some medications, including iron syrup, high blood pressure medications, cancer chemotherapy drugs, antihistamines, and antipsychotic drugs, can lead to black stains on teeth.
- Mouthwashes: Certain mouthwashes may result in yellow-brown stains when used over time.
- Dry Mouth: Dry mouth conditions compromise the natural cleansing action of saliva, potentially contributing to tooth discoloration.
- Drug Abuse: Substances like cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and ecstasy can induce dry mouth, teeth grinding, and adverse effects on oral health, causing tooth and mouth discoloration. Keep in mind, drug abuse have detrimental effects on one’s life.
Prevention of Extrinsic Stains
- Maintain Consistent Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth two or three times a day and floss at least once daily to prevent the buildup of plaque.
- Regular Dental Check-ups: Visit your dentist for routine check-ups and professional cleanings.
- Avoid Adverse Habits: Stay away from tobacco and addictive drugs, recognizing their potential to cause harm – “Tobacco can kill” and “Drugs can destroy life.”
- Be Cautious with Whitening Products: Excessive use of teeth whitening products or frequent application of anti-stain or anti-tartar toothpaste can elevate the risk of teeth damage (abrasion or erosion) and teeth sensitivity. It’s important to note that abraded or eroded tooth surfaces can compound staining issues. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the utilization of chemical products and instead opt for physical methods to maintain dental health.
- Moderate Tea and Coffee Consumption: Reduce excessive tea and coffee intake, as these beverages can quickly stain your teeth.
- Limit Carbonated Drinks: Avoid or minimize consumption of soda and other carbonated drinks that contain high levels of acid and sugar.
- Control Stain-Causing Foods and Beverages: Be mindful of teeth-staining foods and drinks, especially those with added colors. If you consume them, brush and floss your teeth promptly afterward. If immediate cleaning isn’t possible, rinse your mouth or drink water to help remove colored particles. Occasional use of sugarless chewing gum can be an option, but avoid regular or excessive use.
- Embrace a Balanced Diet: Consume foods high in fiber with a neutral pH, as they help naturally scrub teeth and stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes mouth acid.
- Address Dry Mouth: Refer to the section on dry mouth for additional guidance.
- Dietary Modifications: Limit the consumption of stain-causing foods and beverages. When consuming these items, consider using a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
- Stay Hydrated: Rinse your mouth with water after consuming substances that may stain your teeth.
- Professional Cleanings: Schedule regular dental appointments for professional cleanings, which can effectively prevent extrinsic stains.
Electric toothbrush for adults
Electric toothbrush for kids
Fluoride toothpaste for adults
Fluoride toothpaste for kids
Dental floss
Dental floss with holder and replaceable head
Dental floss picks
Intrinsic/Inner Teeth Stains: Internal Discoloration
Inner stains become deeply embedded within the structure of the teeth. They typically develop during the tooth formation process and permanently integrate with the tooth’s mineral composition. In contrast, extrinsic stains merely attach to the outer surface of the teeth. Inner stains are generally a result of developmental factors during tooth formation, with exceptions being those caused by trauma or tooth fillings. Since most adult teeth form during a similar timeframe, intrinsic staining often affects all teeth uniformly.
Causes of Intrinsic/Inner Teeth Stains: Internal Discoloration
- Excessive Fluoride Exposure: Consuming too much fluoride during tooth formation can lead to dental fluorosis, characterized by white spots or yellow-brownish stains. Dental fluorosis can affect both milk and permanent teeth, but only those teeth undergoing mineralization during excessive fluoride exposure are impacted.
- Calcium Deficiency: Inadequate calcium intake during tooth formation can result in stains, known as hypo-calcified patches, within the tooth. Unlike other body organs, teeth are not affected by calcium deficiency after their formation.
- Medication Overuse: Excessive consumption of certain medications, such as Tetracycline antibiotics, during tooth development can cause fluorescent yellowish discoloration. This primarily affects teeth undergoing mineralization during medication exposure.
- Trauma or Injury: Tooth trauma or injury can cause blood leakage into the inner surfaces of teeth, resulting in blackish discoloration. If only one tooth is discolored, it is often due to a cavity or an injury inside the tooth. Timely treatment can prevent the tooth from dying and discoloring.
- Tooth Decay: Tooth decay can burrow into the tooth and cause blackish discoloration of adjacent walls.
- Silver Sulfide in Fillings or Crowns: Fillings or crowns containing silver sulfide can lead to blackish discoloration of the tooth.
- Genetic or Developmental Factors: Genetic or familial factors can cause cells involved in tooth formation to secrete abnormal minerals, resulting in yellowish to brown or bluish to grayish discoloration. This condition generally affects all teeth.
- Blood Diseases: Blood cell disorders can cause abnormal blood cells to rupture and stain the inner surfaces of teeth during tooth formation.
- Cancer Treatments: Cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy can damage or shrink the blood supply to teeth, leading to dead and discolored teeth.
Both Extrinsic and Intrinsic Stains:
Tooth wear can lead to the development of rough surfaces and the exposure of underlying dentin or pulp, resulting in a yellowish appearance. This process also contributes to an increase in external discoloration. Tooth wear may be related to age or caused by factors such as bruxism (teeth grinding) or aggressive/faulty brushing techniques. As a result, tooth wear can give rise to both extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration of the teeth.
Prevention of Intrinsic Stains
- Fluoride Management: Check the fluoride levels in your tap water by contacting your local authority. Consult with your dentist even before your child is born to maximize the benefits of fluoride and reduce the risk of fluorosis (fluoride stains). If your community water supply is already fluoridated, you and your children may not need additional fluoride toothpaste or rinses. Seek guidance from your dentist on this matter, and refer to the article on fluoride for more details.
- Mineral and Calcium Intake: Ensure an adequate consumption of minerals and calcium during the formation of teeth and bones. Consult with your physician and dentist to address your specific needs in this regard.
- Medication Consideration: If your child requires medications, consult with your physician to explore alternatives that do not stain teeth.
- Trauma Prevention: Use teeth-protecting splints or mouthguards while engaging in sports activities. Refer to the chapter on teeth injuries for more information.
- Regular Oral Hygiene: Maintain a consistent oral hygiene regimen and schedule professional check-ups to prevent decay and related issues.
- Genetic Counseling: Consider genetic counseling, which can help prevent or reduce the risk of genetic disorders. It also offers guidance and preparation for potential future challenges.
- Protective Measures for Cancer Radiotherapy: If you are undergoing cancer radiotherapy (X-ray) treatment or major surgery, seek dental consultation and necessary treatment beforehand to protect your teeth and jaws from potential damage.
Treatment of Teeth Stains
Effective treatment options are available for both extrinsic and intrinsic teeth stains:
- Professional Dental Cleaning/Scaling: Dental scaling is typically effective for addressing outer stains. However, it’s important to note that professional dental cleaning cannot remove intrinsic (inner) stains. It’s unrealistic to expect that your dentist can eliminate all types of teeth stains, especially intrinsic stains, through dental scaling alone.
- Professional Teeth Whitening: Dentists use high-concentration hydrogen or carbamide peroxide bleaching for teeth whitening. Professional bleaching works faster and has longer-lasting results compared to at-home methods due to its higher concentration. It is generally used to remove or lighten inner/intrinsic stains and is rarely needed for removing outer/extrinsic stains. Tougher and older outer stains may require light bleaching after dental scaling.
- At-Home Teeth Whitening: a. Professionally Guided: Dentists create custom trays for you to apply bleaching gel. You wear these trays on your teeth for generally 15-30 minutes a day. This treatment may be necessary for a few weeks to achieve desired results. b. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products: Teeth whitening gels, lights, toothpaste, or strips may effectively remove extrinsic/outer stains but are less effective on intrinsic stains. Avoid repeated use of OTC products, as they can potentially erode and weaken your teeth permanently. Such products may also lead to teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, or even tooth damage. Consult with your dentist before using OTC products to ensure their safety.
It’s essential to remember that excessive or repeated use of teeth whitening, whether professional or at-home, can harm your teeth and worsen staining or lead to other dental problems, such as sensitivity.
- Fillings, Veneers, or Crowns: These treatments are necessary for cases of intrinsic stains that cannot be removed with teeth-whitening treatments, or when the staining or defect is deep or extensive. Small to medium-sized stain: The dentist removes the stained area by drilling the tooth and then fills the cavity with a tooth-colored filling. Large-sized stain or an entirely stained tooth: Veneer or Crown. The dentist prepares the affected tooth to be covered with a partial or complete artificial crown or cap.
- Root Canal Treatment (RCT) and Crown: When a discolored tooth is no longer vital due to deep decay or injury, it requires root canal treatment (RCT) followed by the placement of a crown.
Please consult with your dentist to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific staining condition.
Key Points
- Generally Harmless, but Consult Your Dentist: Teeth stains are typically benign and don’t directly harm dental health, with removal often pursued for aesthetic reasons. However, it’s essential to consult with a dentist, as there could be underlying serious issues associated with staining that need attention. Stains can also potentially contribute to the formation of calculus (tartar).
- Don’t Judge Health by Appearance: The appearance of teeth alone should not be used as an indicator of oral health. Healthy teeth are those free from decay, gum disease, or misalignment. The best approach to maintain dental health involves consistent oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups, which should commence from an early age when the first tooth emerges.
- Stains and Underlying Issues: Stains may obscure underlying decay or cavities. It’s important not to ignore stains that are expanding in size or deepening, as they may be indicative of decay or a non-vital tooth.
- Intrinsic Stains: Intrinsic stains are permanent and typically occur during the critical period of tooth development in permanent teeth, spanning from birth to around 8 years of age, with the initial 2-3 years being particularly crucial. Milk teeth form from around 14 weeks in utero to 12 months after birth.
- Professional Guidance: Always consult your dentist before using any home remedies or over-the-counter teeth-whitening products. Avoid excessive use of such products, as teeth once damaged cannot regenerate.
- Preventable and Treatable: Teeth stains can be both preventable and treatable through proper oral care and professional dental treatments.
Conclusion
The color of a tooth is not indicative of its health; yellowish teeth do not necessarily imply dental issues. Healthy teeth are those free from decay, gum disease, or misalignment, emphasizing that oral health holds greater importance than natural tooth color. It is crucial to consult your dentist to determine the cause of discoloration, as stains may be linked to both oral and general health factors, such as smoking or systemic diseases.
Furthermore, both internal and external stains are not only treatable but also preventable. Prior to using any home remedies or over-the-counter teeth-whitening products, seek guidance from your dentist to identify the underlying cause of the stain. Repeated use of such whitening products should be avoided, as they may remove stains but not address the root cause. Remember that maintaining oral health is key to preserving your smile’s natural radiance.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can I prevent extrinsic stains while still enjoying my favorite foods and drinks?
A: Absolutely! Moderation and rinsing your mouth after consumption can help minimize the impact of staining substances.
Q: Is teeth-whitening safe for everyone?
A: It’s best to consult a dentist before whitening, especially if you have dental restorations or underlying oral health issues.
Q: Do whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes really work?
A: While they might help with very mild stains, professional treatments are more effective for noticeable results.
Q: Are intrinsic stains reversible?
A: In many cases, yes. Professional treatments like whitening and veneers can significantly improve intrinsic stains’ appearance.
Q: How can I maintain my newly whitened teeth?
A: Avoid or limit consumption of staining substances and maintain a diligent oral hygiene routine.
Q: Are home whitening kits as effective as professional treatments?
A: Home kits can show results, but they are generally not as potent or long-lasting as treatments performed by dental professionals.