If your teeth are not as bright or white as you want them to be, just think about what you eat and how you take care of your teeth. Teeth stains or discolouration is one of the most common complaints of patients when they visit a dental office. Here at Quarry Park Dental in Calgary, we care about your teeth’s appearance and colour. In this post, you will learn the different types of teeth stains, their causes, prevention, and treatment.
Types of Teeth Stains
The three main categories of tooth discolouration are the extrinsic, intrinsic and age-related stains. Extrinsic teeth stains are the staining on the tooth surface. When pigmented residue from food or beverage builds up, they cover the tooth enamel causing discolouration. The cause of extrinsic teeth stain includes smoking, drinking tea, soda, wine, and coffee. Dental cleaning and brushing your teeth using a whitening toothpaste can help solve extrinsic teeth stain. Also, avoid food and drinks that stain your teeth. Lastly, make sure you quit smoking.
The second type of teeth stain is known as intrinsic teeth stains. This type of staining happens underneath the tooth surface. When stain-causing particles accumulate within the tooth enamel, the tooth becomes discoloured. Use of too much fluoride is associated with intrinsic teeth stain among children. Bleaching done by dental professionals is one of the main treatment for intrinsic teeth stain. Teeth restoration such as the use of crowns and bonding are also part of the treatment management for intrinsic teeth stains.
The third and last type of stain is the age-related stains. When you get older, the dentin normally darkens or yellows over time, and the enamel becomes thinner too. Both of these cause the teeth to become discolored. Treatment that can penetrate the dentin can help age-related teeth stains. Similar to intrinsic stain treatment, professional whitening procedures and the use of bonding and crowns can resolve this type of teeth stain.
If you want to have brighter and whiter smile, make sure you are also equipped with knowledge about teeth stains. If you have any questions about teeth discolouration or stains, don’t hesitate to contact our dental team in Calgary, Alberta.