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Written By: Admin | Updated : August 8, 2013 6:33 PM IST
Having stained teeth can be quite an embarrassment especially if you aren't able to get rid of them. The reasons for stains on teeth can vary from regular Indian masalas to genetic conditions which run from generations in the family. Ask yourself these questions if you'd like to figure out what might be causing the stains:
1. How old are you?
Age is a very important factor. With age, enamel (the outermost layer of the teeth) starts wearing away and getting thinner. This could cause the underlying dentine to show through causing it to appear like yellow stains.
2. Do people in your family have teeth with stains?
In certain families, generations have been shown to have faulty or pitted enamel (the outermost layer of the teeth). This again shows up as yellow stains. Also, since the surface is not smooth, the chances of it getting stained by food items, tobaccos etc. are higher.
3. Did you mother suffer from any infection or diseases when she was pregnant with you?
It has been shown that certain diseases and infections in pregnant mothers can affect the development of enamel and the underlying dentin causing tooth discoloration later in the child.
4. Does your drinking water have excess fluoride?
Excessive fluoride intake can occur due to high fluoride levels in water, a child swallowing excessive fluoride toothpaste or fluoride supplements taken by mouth. This can cause yellowish stains on the teeth.
5. Are you or were you taking certain medicines that could cause permanent staining of teeth?
If you were given antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline before the age of eight, chances are that your permanent teeth have striated or banded stains on them. And also, these antibiotics when given to a pregnant woman will cause yellow staining of her child's teeth. This happens because the teeth are still developing before the age of eight and these antibiotics become incorporated into the mineral structure of the enamel causing the stains.
Other medicines which cause teeth discoloration are chlorhexidine (found in mouth rinses), antihistamines, anti-hypertensives and antipsychotic drugs.
6. Have you had any trauma or accident recently?
When your tooth is injured due to trauma from sudden fall or accidents there may be bleeding in the innermost layer of the tooth (pulp chamber). Blood clot and remnants of decomposed pulp tissue may also get into the tubules of the dentin thereby staining the dentin and causing tooth discolouration. In young children, the teeth are still developing. Trauma in such children can also disturb enamel formation and cause discoloration of their permanent teeth.
7. Do you have large fillings?
Dental restorative materials like amalgam (silver fillings) can leach out over time and get deposited in the enamel and cast a dark colour to teeth.
8. Are you brushing right?
Good oral hygiene is essential for your oral health and to maintain the colour of your teeth. Inadequate brushing and flossing allow stains from coffee, tobacco, etc. to develop and calculus (tartar) to build up on teeth.
9. Are you consuming stain-causing food?
Various foods and drinks are known to cause teeth discolouration. Foods like blueberries, cherries and drinks like coffee, tea, colas and wines are the obvious ones. Did you know that even apples and potatoes, the not so obvious ones, can cause teeth yellowing? The colouring molecules in these foods and drinks adhere to the enamel or penetrate the tubules of enamel to cause discoloration.
10. Are you a chronic smoker?
Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave extrinsic stains on the enamel of the teeth. Tobacco contains many hard-to-remove staining elements that cause a gradual yellowing of teeth and mar the appearance of your teeth.
We're assuming that you've found the answer to the question about your dental stains. The next step is to visit a good dentist and discuss your problem. Fret not, there are many cosmetic solutions available to take care of your stain issues.
