Where do enamel stains come from?

Stains on our teeth are inevitable after a certain amount of time, the enamel becomes more porous and can’t resist outside elements, so teeth whitening may be something we all have to consider at some point in our lives. There are plenty of lifestyle choices that can contribute to discoloured teeth too, from smoking to excessive drinking, and even the occasional cup of coffee. If we’re not careful to brush away harsh colorants before they damage our teeth, they can start to build up and leave the enamel discoloured.

What kinds of things lead to staining?

The biggest cause of tooth staining is what we choose to eat and drink, most people won’t even realise the harm their daily glass of red wine does to the enamel – especially if they don’t adequately clean their teeth afterwards. However, there are other contributing factors that can’t be blamed on poor lifestyle choices. Here are some common reasons for tooth staining:

Smoking – Cigarettes come with a long list of warnings over health concerns, but as well as countless diseases and ailments, nicotine can turn your teeth a nasty yellow colour. Chewing tobacco won’t do your smile any favours either; the brown substance contributes to dark discolorations and bad breath. Teeth whitening can help get rid of a messy smokers smile, but the only way to stop the problem occurring again is to bin the cigarettes.

Food and drink – Red wine and brightly coloured curries are particularly bad for the enamel coating of our teeth, and overconsumption tends to go hand in hand with insufficient cleaning habits. The dark molecules overpower the porous surface of the tooth and permanently discolour it.

Genetics – An unlucky portion of society can blame their darkened enamel on their DNA, some people are just genetically predisposed to a different shade of tooth, thanks to their parents and grandparents. It’s not something that can be avoided, but it can be fixed with a teeth whitening treatment.

Surgical procedures – Surgical treatments like root canals, can really affect the appearance of the enamel. If the tooth is essentially dead from the inside, it will start to darken in colour and may stand out against the other teeth if it is visible when smiling or talking. Even though this is a problem that stems from damage to the root system, it can be alleviated by a whitening procedure. Because the stains have reached the surface, they will be susceptible to bleaching in much the same way as stains that have come from food or other outside elements.

Amalgam fillings – Without actually causing any pain, metal fillings can sometimes cause black or grey spots to appear on the surface of the treated teeth. This can often resemble decay, but shouldn’t lead to any structural problems or toothache; it’s just a question of how uncomfortable it makes you feel. Staining like this is usually dealt by removing a filling and replacing it with a composite one.

Dental trauma – If development of the root or nerves is obstructed before the adult teeth have properly grown through, there could be some problems with discolouration. This is because the messages aren’t passed accurately to the nerve centre of the teeth, telling them to keep replenishing the enamel. Affected teeth should remain functional, but they won’t look naturally white and healthy.

Illness – Discolouration that is related to illness comes from inside the tooth, but can still be helped by teeth whitening treatment. Avoiding smoking or drinking won’t do you any good if you suffer from a systemic illness that affects the colour of your teeth, the only thing that can reverse the effects is bleaching. Some health conditions that affect the nerve connections will leave you with dark grey, brown, or even purple tinged teeth. For a more accurate assessment of your dental health, call the Pearl Dental Clinic and set up an appointment with one of their dentists.

Are all stains the same?

As we saw from looking at different contributing factors, some stains come from inside the tooth, and some are developed from outside influences. There are two categories of staining; intrinsic and extrinsic, it doesn’t matter which type you are suffering from, a bleaching procedure should be able to help restore your teeth to a natural looking brightness. Let’s take a look at the different types of discolouration:

Extrinsic stains – This kind of discolouration comes from outside factors, namely food and drink containing strong colorants and chemicals. The white shade of the enamel can’t withstand continued exposure to these types of products, and eventually starts to look dull and dark as a result. Superficial staining that occurs right after we eat is not usually a problem if we take good care of our teeth, but with prolonged consumption of dark food and drink, they will begin to look discoloured. It’s important to stop the process before the layers start to build up, teeth whitening can break down heavy staining but it might take a few extra sessions to get the desired result. Don’t rely on whitening toothpastes to give the same impact as tooth bleaching, it will remove superficial stains, but can’t reach deeper into the mineral layers, and may ultimately be too abrasive for the soft enamel.

Intrinsic stains – Discolouration that comes from inside the teeth can be treated in the same way as extrinsic staining, but is not caused by the same elements. Certain health conditions and different antibiotics can cause a change in the colour of the enamel, this is because the nerves and roots are receiving different messages and can’t rebuild the minerals in the way they are supposed to. Dental trauma can also change the way the nerves communicate and affect growth – even before the tooth has broken through the gum line, in some cases. Constant brushing won’t do anything for intrinsic stains either; the only way to deal with this problem is to bleach the discoloured enamel.