If you look at yourself in the mirror and notice that your teeth are not as white or bright as they were before, seeking a dentist’s advice, or go for a check-up as many things can cause the teeth to lose their glow. Tooth discolouration and stains on the teeth are common occurrences that can happen for many reasons, however, these stains are treatable and preventable, according to Dr AbduKadir Mamataliev, a dentist at Deva Medical Center-Nyarutarama. He says that tooth discolouration falls into three different categories, that is; extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. With extrinsic tooth discolouration, it’s likely that the stains only affect the tooth enamel, or the surface of the tooth. The most common causes of extrinsic stains include; food, beverages and tobacco. Dr Mamataliev adds that the intrinsic type of stain is located within the tooth, which makes it more resistant to over-the-counter whitening products. It often appears gray-ish. Examples of intrinsic stains include certain medications, trauma or injury to a tooth, tooth decay, too much fluoride and genetics. He says that with the age-related type, the enamel on the teeth begins to wear away, which often results in a yellow appearance. Many times, age-related discolouration may be caused by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Causes “The main issues for discolouration are typically what we eat and drink, ageing, and tooth injuries. Certain types of food and drinks can move into the outer layers of your tooth structure and stain your teeth. Some of the most common tooth staining culprits include; red sauces, red wine, tea, coffee and chocolate. Tobacco use in the form of cigarettes or chewing tobacco can also cause tooth discolouration,” Dr Mamataliev states. The dental expert says that as you age, your teeth can become more brittle, and allow staining or yellowing to occur. When tooth injuries are the root of the problem, sometimes only the damaged tooth will darken. Some stains are in different colour, for example; the yellow stains could be due to a diet that’s high in simple sugars, certain medications, poor oral hygiene and chronic dry mouth. Brown spots can have diverse causes such as soda, fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates, untreated tooth decay and tartar build-up, he explains. “A cavity can cause a white spot on your tooth that turns darker as it becomes more advanced. Too much fluoride can also produce white spots on your teeth. Black spots or stains could be due to advanced dental cavity, fillings and crowns that contain silver sulphide and liquid iron supplements,” Dr Mamataliev says. How to get rid of stains Dr Mamataliev points out that there are many products and procedures that can whiten the teeth and eliminate or reduce the appearance of stains. Teeth whitening options fall into three broad categories which include in-office treatment. “Your dentist will typically use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening compared to at-home products. In-office treatment works quickly and the effects usually last longer than other methods,” he says. Secondly, at-home treatments with the help of dentist. Some dentists can make custom trays to use on your teeth at home. You will add a gel to the tray and wear it on your teeth for up to one hour a day, or as recommended by your dentist. You may need to wear the trays for a few weeks to achieve results, the dentist highlights. Dr Mamataliev says that there are also over-the-counter products. Whitening toothpastes and whitening strips may be able to diminish surface stains, but are much less effective on intrinsic stains that are located inside your teeth. He urges to make sure to visit a dentist for regular dental cleanings. Regular check-ups and cleanings can often help to reduce the appearance of stains and spots. When to see a dentist “If you notice a change in the colour of your teeth and it doesn’t get better with a whitening product, it’s a good idea to follow up with your dentist. Also, if the staining appears to be deep, and if no over-the-counter whitening agents are able to get rid of the staining, it could be something more serious, such as a cavity or demineralisation of enamel,” Dr Mamataliev says. If only one tooth is discoloured, it may be due to a cavity or an injury to the inside of your tooth. The sooner these types of issues get treated by your dentist, the better the outcome will likely be, he says. Dr Mamataliev says to keep teeth in good health, see a dentist twice a year for routine exams. It’s often during these appointments that problems are discovered. When treatment is done early, it can help prevent the issue from becoming more complicated. Prevention of discolouration Dr Mamataliev offers the following prevention measures; • Care for your teeth after eating pigmented foods. If you’re planning to consume pigmented food or drinks, doctors recommend brushing and flossing as soon as you have finished. If that’s not possible, then drinking or swishing with water can help remove at least some particles that can stain your teeth. • Practice good oral health. Doctors advise brushing your teeth at least three times per day, flossing daily and also using a water flosser, as well as a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse. • Change your habits. If you smoke or chew tobacco, talk to your doctor about a cessation programme to quit. You may also want to cut back on foods and beverages that can stain your teeth. If that’s hard to do, make sure you have a toothbrush on hand so you can be proactive about keeping your teeth free of stain-causing matter.
