Whenever we see someone sporting a white smile, we tend to ask ourselves a question, do I smile confidently like him? Well, it all depends on how you maintain your teeth.
There are many causes of stained teeth that include direct or indirect factors involving food habits, unhygienic oral practices, or even genetic factors.
Direct Factors of Tooth Stains & Discoloration
Direct Factors of Tooth Stains & DiscolorationThe immediate factors such as consumption of substances like coffee, tea, wine, Soya sauce, or fruits like cherry, blueberry could contribute to the coloring of the teeth. The change in the color of the teeth happens due to the stains penetrating tooth film, causing a stain. Chewing of tobacco or smoking cigarettes could also discolor the teeth. All of us know to brush after meals are the best way to maintain oral hygiene. Due to inadequate brushing and flossing of teeth, tartar builds up over some time and gets colored by the beverages and food consumed. It is generally easy to remove stains on the surface of the teeth,
The indirect factors for discoloration of the teeth are due to the reason of the inner structure of the tooth (dentin) getting dark or yellowish. This kind of stain is a little difficult to remove. It may also be due to bleaching often. During early childhood, consumption of water with heavy content of fluoride could leave brownish stains on the teeth. The other reason could be the consumption of fluoride contained in toothpaste, unknowingly, by the child while brushing the teeth. This is known as fluorosis. A mother using tetracycline antibiotics during the pregnancy could also lead to discoloration of the teeth. Advancing age could wear away the enamel of the teeth and teeth becoming thinner, and it could exhibit the dentin’s yellow color.
