We all hate stains on our teeth. A pretty smile is a door to many opportunities and our best presentation letter. That’s why we always want a white and clean smile.
But sometimes, we suddenly see a new stain on a tooth, then another.
We may improve our oral hygiene and buy whitening toothpaste. Perhaps some go away, but others seem to be stubborn.
Why can we remove some stains with toothpaste and others simply stay?
That’s because teeth stains come in different types. I bet you’ve also noticed that not all teeth stains look the same; some are white, yellow, or dark.
And this feature also depends on the type of teeth stain you’re dealing with. So, how do we differentiate stains and get rid of them?
Today, we’re learning the distinct types of teeth stains and their treatments.
Teeth Stain Types
Teeth stains types can be divided into two categories: colour and profundity.
Let’s take a look at what they consist of:
Types of teeth stain according to their colour
Teeth staining come y various colours, and each one responds to one or more causes:
- White: usually due to tooth decay or cavities. Or also excessive fluoride use in childhood.
- Yellow: could be due to old age, genetics, drinking too much coffee, tobacco, or tea. Some medications can also cause this discolouration.
- Brown: an excess on any dark beverage will eventually generate brown stains on your teeth. Excessive tartar build-up due to lack of hygiene is also a cause of brown spots.
- Black: Severe tooth decay and excessive tartar build-up can generate black stains on teeth. Some tooth injuries can get make your tooth turn black.
- Purple: some drinks like wine and fruits like blueberries can make your teeth purple. But other more serious reasons like diseases and injuries.
To determine their treatment, your first must know the type according to their profundity. That leads us to the second type of teeth stains.
Types of teeth stains according to their profundity
Depending on how deep into the teeth discolour is, it can be of two kinds:
- Extrinsic: they are located in the most superficial layer of the tooth, the enamel. As external and in direct contact with the outside, these stains are usually easier to treat and can even disappear. Foods and tobacco typically cause them.
- Intrinsic: the intrinsic stains go in a deeper layer of the tooth, under the enamel. The layer is known as dentin, and discolour discolours on this surface. Most times, it can’t be completely disappeared.
We must remember that the age factor also plays a role in teeth discolouration. As we grow old, the enamel wears away, leading to a yellowish tone.
Once your dentist determines the type of stain on both categories, he has enough information to determine the correct treatment for you.
Treatment according to the type of teeth stain
The most common treatments for treating extrinsic stains are:
- Profound cleaning with innovative methods like airflow techniques
- Whitening pastes and stripes
- At-home prescribed whitening process
- In-office whitening processes
- Peroxide, bicarbonate, and other natural remedies (not recommended as they can be abrasive and wear your enamel even further)
The most common treatments for treating intrinsic stains are:
- In-office whitening processes
- Veneers
- Tooth implants
- Dental bonding
As you can see, there is more than one type of teeth stain and treatment. Make sure you treat your dentures professionally for a whiter and brighter smile! If you have any further questions related to teeth stain types and their treatment, contact our experienced Hornsby dentists.
