What Causes Tooth Stains?

Have you noticed that your teeth no longer appear pearly white? You might feel a blow to your self-esteem when you do not feel satisfied with the way that your smile looks. You can talk to your dentist about cosmetic dental solutions that will give you a brighter smile again.

But you can also help to preserve the naturally beautiful color of your smile when you know what conditions can lead to dental discoloration. Read on to learn about three of the primary factors that can lead to stain formation on your teeth.

Common Culprits Behind Dental Discoloration

Consuming Substances with Staining Agents

A major reason that people will get stains, yellowing, or other discoloration on their teeth is consuming items that contain staining agents. Dark-colored foods and beverages, like red wine, tea, or coffee, for example, have tannins. These substances will transfer to teeth as you eat or drink these items and leave stains behind on the surface of the teeth.

You cannot remove this deep dental discoloration with your usual oral hygiene regimen. Your dentist can help you brighten your tooth color with cosmetic dental treatments if you like. But ideally, you should preserve your natural smile.

This will mean you should pay attention to your diet and how it affects the look and feel of your teeth. You can take precautions, like sipping through a straw, to limit the risk that tannins pose to your teeth. But you may want to consider limiting foods with staining agents to protect your smile.

Underlying Dental Problems

Dental discoloration can also occur as a symptom of a larger dental problem. For instance, a cavity, an early stage of tooth decay, may appear as a dark or light spot on the surface of a tooth. It points to a weak spot in the tooth enamel that will worsen without treatment from your dentist.

The dentist can drill away the decay and fill the resulting hole with resin to resolve the issue. They can also use tooth-colored material in the filling to restore the tooth’s appearance as well as its structure. If you notice discoloration on your teeth, it could signify a dental concern that your dentist should evaluate.

Factors Beyond Patient Control

Even with diligent care performed at home and at your dentist’s office, sometimes factors could impact the color of your teeth. Certain medications, for instance, have the side effect of creating stains on your teeth.

Aging and other similar factors outside of your control may lead to weakened enamel, making the teeth susceptible to discoloration. To preserve the appearance and health of your teeth, you should talk to your dentist about personalized preventative dental care. They can make sure you continue to love your smile with care attuned to your unique needs.

To learn more, call your dentist in Nashua, NH today at 802.424.9517. You can also reach a member of our front office staff online.