We all love having beautiful, white, and shiny teeth, so we go to great lengths to maintain them. From at-home treatments to teeth whitening, people would do anything to get rid of teeth stains. But once in a while, we wake up to a nasty surprise when we check ourselves out in the mirror. So what can be done about brown stains on teeth? Do we stop smiling as often, or do we call our dentist? Let’s take a look at what brown stains are and how we can get rid of them for good.
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All About Stains on Teeth
While discouraging at first, finding out that you are dealing with stained teeth should not bring you down. There are many things that can make your teeth lose color. However, there are just as many ways to make them shine again and prevent stains from appearing in the first place.
How Common Are Brown Stains on Teeth?
Although there are no conclusive studies on the number of people that are dealing with stained teeth, most dentists consider it a common issue. After all, you can find all kinds of teeth whitening solutions in any convenience store or pharmacy.
So it’s safe to assume that the demand for getting rid of stains is high. That is also backed up by a study that shows that 99.7% of Americans believe a smile is an important social asset. But how do we know if we are dealing with stained teeth or just some food leftovers?
What Are The Symptoms of Stained Teeth?
It’s easy to find out if you are dealing with stained teeth — you simply look in the mirror. However, the spots may vary in color and shape, which tends to confuse people. Some may notice irregular yellowish-brown patches, while others might have black-brown lines on their teeth. Nevertheless, all those issues have a similar cause and treatment, so it doesn’t matter if you are dealing with black stains on teeth or any other color.
Why Do I Have Stains on My Teeth?
There are many causes of stained teeth, from age or accidents, such as dental trauma, to our eating habits. Before proceeding with a treatment plan, it’s important to understand how people end up with brown stains on their teeth.
- Nicotine And Tobacco Products: These contain particles that can easily fill the pores in our teeth enamel. The particles build up over time, resulting in stained teeth. Stains caused by smoking tend to become harder to remove the more we postpone treating them.
- Drinks And Foods: Dark-colored drinks and foods contain chromogens; chemicals that can stain teeth. Furthermore, artificial colors and dyes will cause significant staining of the teeth. If a person has bad dental hygiene, those stains can become permanent.
- Tartar: Bacteria that mix with saliva can form a translucent film called plaque. If it’s ignored, it can harden up and form tartar, which can only be removed by dentists. Tartar is easily recognized by its yellowish-brown color and its resistance to brushing.
- Tooth Decay: The acids produced by plaque weaken the enamel, exposing the yellow layers of teeth below. If the decay persists, the acids can create a dark-colored cavity.
- Aging: As we age, the white enamel degrades, slowly exposing the yellow layers of dentin underneath. That can lead to brown spots and patches of discoloration.
How to Remove Stains From Teeth
The method of removing stains depends on their cause. For example, if you are dealing with stains caused by food, drinks, or tobacco, you can brush your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and water. Do that for a couple of days, and you should notice some white stains on teeth that are slowly replacing the old brown ones.
At-Home Treatments for Stained Teeth
While there is no guarantee that you will get rid of it, there are some treatments that may help with discoloration. Keep in mind that the results will be noticeable after 1–2 weeks or even more for darker stains.
- Use a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to rinse your mouth, every day. Remember to rinse with water after that.
- Switch to mouthwashes that contain hydrogen peroxide
- Consider buying whitening toothpaste that contains sodium hypochlorite
- Whitening strips can help if they contain carbamide peroxide
Going to the Dentist
If you are experiencing brown stains on teeth caused by tartar or by a medical condition, you will require professional help. A dentist will have special tools that they can use to scrape and rub tartar or plaque away. They can also do whitening and maintenance procedures like bleaching and applying fluoride.
In case of permanent stains similar to those caused by celiac disease, dentists will apply crowns or white composite fillings. That’s why you should contact a specialized clinic, such as Millennium Dental, that deals with all kinds of dental procedures. Finding a good clinic is the most important step in getting rid of stains that plague your teeth.
What Can I Do to Prevent Brown Stains on Teeth?
Even though stains caused by aging or genetics can’t really be avoided, you can always do more to take care of your teeth. Here are the best tips to prevent it:
- Floss once a day
- Try to cut down on nicotine products
- Have your teeth checked regularly for plaque or decay
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks, especially if they have artificial coloring
- Eating green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, can prevent tooth discoloration
- Cheeses and yogurts can neutralize acids and slow down plaque formation
It’s Time to Shine!
Overall, brown stains on teeth can be the result of poor hygiene, smoking, or colored foods and drinks. You might even avoid all of the above and still have problems as a result of genetics. No matter the cause, it’s important to know that they can all be fixed. Some stains are harder to remove than others, but a good dentist will have the perfect solution for you. So don’t waste any more time, and call your local dental clinic. A shiny smile is a key that can open many doors, so don’t lock yourself in.
