Tooth Discoloration: types, causes and treatment

Types, causes and treatment of tooth pigmentation

Tooth discoloration is not always an indication of the presence of caries. Still, there are other causes and many types of tooth pigmentation, which we will introduce you to along with the treatment methods in Turkey.

While you were brushing your teeth, you suddenly noticed the presence of tooth stains on your front or back teeth. Here you must have wondered what this color is. Do you need to see a doctor and get treatment or not?

The causes of tooth pigmentation are many and varied, and it is a very common problem that appears on one tooth or a group of teeth, and the treatment of these dental pigmentation varies according to the causes and severity of the condition.
What are the causes of these pigmentations? Is it harmful to your teeth? Is it possible to remove pigmented teeth at home, or do you need a doctor? Find out the answers to all these questions through the article.

What are the causes of Tooth Discoloration?

Among the most prominent reasons for changing the color of the tooth and the appearance of pigmentation, which are worth mentioning, are the following:

Food type

The discoloration of the tooth's surface occurs with frequent consumption of certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, cola, or smoking.

These materials penetrate the enamel of the teeth, especially in the pits and gutters, causing black or yellow pigmentation of the teeth. Gentlemen article In such areas to prevent pigmentation and caries, and the acidic mouth environment in general is one of the factors that predispose to discoloration of your teeth.

Yellowing of the teeth may occur as a result of aging or eating sugary and colorful foods
Yellowing of the teeth may occur as a result of aging or eating sugary and colorful foods

tooth decay

It is the most common cause of black pigmentation of teeth. When food residues accumulate on the surface of your teeth, they turn into acids that erode the surface enamel layer, and a hole appears, sometimes in the form of a black point.

Black pigmentation of the teeth here indicates the presence of caries.
Black pigmentation of the teeth here is an indication of the presence of caries

Dental fluorosis

Excess leads to fluoride During the growth of the teeth in infancy, dark spots appear on the permanent teeth, called Fluorescent tooth pigmentation.

Tooth discoloration due to childhood fluoride overdose
Tooth discoloration due to childhood fluoride overdose

tooth injury

injuries Bruised and fractured teeth Inflammation and nerve death may all be a cause of tooth discoloration.

The tooth appears gray as a result of nerve death
The tooth appears gray due to nerve death due to traumatic injury or fracture.

Dental materials

Some use is considered h Materials containing silver sulfide cause your teeth to become gray and black.

Silver dental amalgam fillings may cause discoloration of the tooth and adjacent gums.
Silver dental amalgam fillings may cause discoloration of the tooth and adjacent gums.

some medicine

Taking some antibiotics while children's teeth are developing can cause staining and discoloration of their teeth. Tetracycline and doxycycline can affect enamel formation in children under eight.
A person's tooth discoloration may also occur due to consuming antihistamines such as Benadryl, antipsychotic drugs, and antihypertensive drugs.

General diseases

Diseases that prevent the normal development of enamel (the white outer layer of your teeth) and dentin (the second layer under the enamel) can lead to discoloration of a person's teeth, such as in the case of digestive disorders where the enamel does not develop properly, and stains appear.

It can also cause some medical treatments especially Head and neck radiation orChemotherapy Tooth discoloration. Certain infections in expectant mothers may affect the development of the baby's port.

Radiation treatments for cancer can cause damage to the teeth
Radiation treatments for cancer can cause tooth damage

age

The outer enamel layer of the teeth naturally erodes with age, exposing the dentin layer underneath, which is yellowish-brown.

Poor dental hygiene

Neglecting to brush and floss your teeth may lead to the accumulation of bacteria, plaque, and food residue, which leads to discoloration of the teeth, and skipping professional cleaning sessions at the doctor can lead to the appearance of stains.

The best way to determine the cause is to seek the help of a qualified dentist. Not only will the cause be identified, but you can also discover how to eliminate the stain.

How to treat and remove tooth discoloration in Turkey

Treatment options for tooth discoloration vary according to the severity of the condition and the cause of the discoloration.

Discoloration caused by tooth decay and injury

If the stains are caused by cavities or the nerve has died due to a tooth infection, you will need to undergo some oral treatments.

Depending on the degree of injury Decay treatmentIn the event that it is simple, the treatment is done using fillings such as Amalgam fillings And optical fillings, and if the necrosis progresses, you may need a procedure Root canal treatment and even Crown dressing.

The picture on the right shows the teeth after treating their decay with cosmetic composite fillings, which are the same color as the tooth
The picture on the right shows the teeth after treating their decay with cosmetic composite fillings, which are the same color as the tooth

Teeth stains caused by silver fillings

In the event that you have dental amalgam fillings or compensations that contain silver sulphide, try to replace them withOptical composite fillings Which does not lead to pigmentation gums and other areas of the mouth.

The second picture is after removing the silver amalgam fillings and replacing them with cosmetic composite fillings that are the color of the natural tooth.
The second picture is after removing the silver amalgam fillings and replacing them with cosmetic composite fillings that are the color of the natural tooth.

Stains caused by calculus

It can be treated by cleaning the teeth and gums from tartar in the clinic to remove these accumulations andGingivitis treatment.

Teeth whitening

To remove the problem of yellowing of the teeth and gray pigmentation when the nerve dies, in addition to other pigmentation, a technique is used Teeth whiteningThere are many ways to whiten the color, the fastest and most modern is Laser teeth whitening.

On the left, the teeth appear yellow, and on the right, we see how they became naturally white with the help of teeth-whitening materials
On the left, the teeth appear yellow, and on the right, we see how they became naturally white with the help of teeth-whitening materials

Dental veneers

Dental veneers They are thin scales made to fit your teeth and then affixed to the front of the teeth to change their color and appearance.

These veneers are characterized by their ability to change the color, shape, alignment, and size of the teeth, which gives satisfactory cosmetic results. For free consultations and modern treatments, do not hesitate to contact us. We are the Bimaristan Center in Istanbul.

The teeth in the first picture are an excellent indication of cosmetic veneers. In the second picture, we see how these veneers perfectly concealed the morphological and color defects of the teeth.
The teeth in the first picture are an excellent indication of cosmetic veneers. In the second picture, we see how these veneers perfectly concealed the morphological and color defects of the teeth.

How about treating stained teeth at home using whitening and charcoal paste?

Many people often prefer to look for home solutions to treat some types of tooth staining by whitening toothpaste or charcoal and many other materials. The question is, is using whitening pastes and those different methods a good option?

The answer is no because the use of these abrasive materials without a doctor’s supervision has many harms, including:

  1. Repeated use erodes tooth enamel as it contains abrasives, which eventually makes teeth appear more yellow
  2. These materials cannot remove and get rid of the pigmentation of the teeth below the enamel
  3. can cause bTooth sensitivity
  4. The whitening toothpaste does not contain a fluoride formula that prevents cavities
  5. Dental fillings and restorations may become stained
  6. Long-term effects and safety are unknown

Types of tooth discoloration

Regardless of the cause of the staining, tooth stains fall into three categories:

External tooth discoloration

Pigments affect the surface layer of the tooth, which is called enamel. These pigments usually occur as a result of Tobacco or some food colours.

Internal tooth discoloration

Spots and pigmentation are located inside the tooth, making it unresponsive to surface whitening treatments. Internal discoloration occurs as a result of many factors:

  • Taking certain medications
  • Tooth decay
  • Fluorosis
  • genes
  • Age-related discoloration

With age, changes occur in the mouth as well, as the tooth's enamel erodes, which leads to the tendency of the tooth color towards yellow.

Tips for preventing tooth staining

To prevent the recurrence and development of your teeth stains, you may have to follow the following recommendations:

  • Maintain a cleaning routine bToothbrush suitable and using toothpaste Recommended twice daily for 2 minutes and flossing once.
  • Limit the consumption of stain-causing drinks and foods, and if you plan to eat colored food or drinks, try to sip with a clean straw to prevent staining of the front teeth.
  • Brush and floss your teeth as soon as you are done; if that is not possible, then drinking water or rinsing with water can be suitable for discoloration.
  • If you smoke or chew tobacco, talk to your doctor about a tobacco cessation programme.
  • Set appointments to visit the dentist every six months for cleanings and check-ups.

Dental pigmentation is a common occurrence and can happen to anyone for many different reasons, including diseases, smoking, cavities, etc., and its treatment depends on its type and cause in the first place.

Paying attention to the health of your teeth and maintaining a bright smile helps build your self-confidence. The presence of these stains may make you feel very ashamed and may reach anxiety about their underlying causes. Your doctor will advise you on the best action to remove these stains. Take action now and get rid of these annoying pigmentations.

Sources

  1. Belleview Dental Associates
  2. healthline
  3. Smile Hilliard

Frequently Asked Questions

By paying attention to oral and dental hygiene, avoiding colored drinks and foods such as coffee, tea and smoking, in addition to rinsing the mouth with water after each meal.

Yes, of course, there are several types of pigmentation, depending on where they are located in the tooth and the reason for their appearance. Depending on that, the doctor decides to either polish the tooth and remove it, or cover it with veneer lenses and other dental fixtures.

Some types of toothpaste can help reduce the surface pigmentation of the teeth or lighten their color, but beware of using them frequently, as they contain abrasive materials that remove the outer enamel layer of the tooth.

Dental restoration materials, including fillings, veneers, crowns, bridges, or Dentures or Implants They cannot be whitened because they are made of materials usually porcelain, only natural enamel can be whitened.

If you are planning for treatment in Turkey
you can talk to us here.

If you are planning for treatment in Turkey
you can talk to us here.

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