What You Need to Know About the Top Causes of Tooth Staining

Top causes of tooth staining.

Why hide your smile?

No one likes having their smile affected by tooth staining, yet discoloration continues to be among the most common dental issues people face. In particularly severe cases, it can lead to hiding your smile instead of sharing it with the world.

The good news, though, is that while tooth staining might seem inevitable, it has specific causes that you can avoid to ensure a brighter and more beautiful smile. These tooth-staining triggers are as follows.

Food and Drinks

Extrinsic stains are the most common type of tooth staining that people deal with. They affect the surface of your teeth and can be caused by a variety of substances coming into contact with them. Food and drinks, therefore, are among the top culprits in this category, with some being worse than others.

Coffee and tea are some of the most prominent causes of tooth staining, given their widespread consumption and their strong staining ability. These hot drinks contain high levels of tannins, chemical compounds that build up on tooth enamel and lead to discoloration.

Red wine is another drink you should avoid if you don’t want your teeth to stain. That’s because it not only contains tannins like coffee and tea, but chromogens as well. These are another class of compounds that cause significant discoloration. The acidity of wine also leaves your enamel more susceptible to staining overall.

While drinks are often considered the most serious risks to avoid, certain foods also lead to stains. Berries (blueberries, blackberries, and others) are a prime example, as they contain pigments that lead to discoloration. Tomato sauce carries a major risk of tooth staining as well, as it is highly acidic.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco use already imposes a major impact on both your oral and overall health, but it can also lead to serious tooth staining. Many different compounds in tobacco cause discoloration, like nicotine itself, which leads to significant yellowing of tooth surfaces. The tar in tobacco also sticks to tooth surfaces and accumulates over time, causing yellow or brown discoloration.

Cigarette smoke, in particular, is well known for containing countless different chemicals. A wide range of these compounds cling to enamel, creating persistent yellowing that isn’t easily dealt with.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Ensuring a proper oral hygiene routine is one of the best ways you can deal with (and prevent) tooth discoloration in the long run. Proper brushing and flossing help remove a variety of contaminants from food and other sources that could lead to more severe staining if left to sit.

The bacteria in your mouth form deposits called plaque, a sticky film that not only contributes to tooth decay and gum disease but also discolors your teeth. Routine brushing and flossing remove plaque. If it is left to sit, though, it will harden into tartar, which further increases discoloration and requires professional dental cleaning to remove.

Keeping up with adequate oral hygiene to prevent tooth discoloration isn’t hard. Brush twice each day, making sure to do so for two minutes each time. Floss at least once a day, carefully covering the spaces between all of your teeth. Mouthwash is another excellent addition and can help deal with bacteria, but don’t rely on it alone.

Medications

Extrinsic stains affect the surface of your teeth, but there are also intrinsic stains, which affect the inner layers and show through the translucent enamel. These stains are often more difficult to deal with, as they don’t respond to typical hydrogen peroxide whitening treatments, which only reach the surface.

These deep stains are often side effects of medication. Certain antibiotics can lead to intrinsic stains, especially in children during development. They are also a reported side effect of certain antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy drugs.

Aging

While many sources of tooth staining are largely avoidable, the simple passing of time also plays a role. As people grow older, they develop a variety of factors that lead to tooth discoloration, such as the increased use of medications with potential side effects, as mentioned, as well as reduced saliva production and other natural causes.

Enamel wears down throughout your lifetime, too, and it doesn’t grow back. Older people, therefore, can have significantly thinner enamel, letting more of the natural yellow color of dentin come through. Even those who take excellent care of their teeth experience some level of wear as they age.

Maintain a bright smile with your dentist near Lake Hefner.

Avoiding these causes wherever possible can help you enjoy a brighter, longer-lasting smile. However, it’s just as important to ensure proper oral hygiene and to keep up with routine dental visits. Lake Pointe Dental Group is your trusted dentist in OKC for regular teeth cleaning and other treatments that keep your smile beautiful. Schedule your next appointment today to get you and your smile back on the right track.