TOOTH DISCOLORATION

Tooth discoloration can be the cause of great embarrassment and can make people feel self conscious about smiling .Teeth Stains, also commonly referred to as Teeth Discoloration, is caused by substances sticking onto the surface of your tooth or gathering within and contaminating the enamel of your tooth.Nevertheless, important lifestyle factors also play a large part in tooth discoloration and it is important to recognize these.

Symptoms include stains on the enamel. They can range from white streaks to yellow tints or brown spots and pits. If the enamel has worn away, and dentin is showing through, you may notice a yellow tint.


Some food habits and lifestyle that can cause tooth discoloration: 



Food and drink. Coffee, tea, carbonated beverages and red wine can discolor teeth. Even certain fruits and vegetables can cause stain
Poor dental hygiene. Inadequate brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration
Disease. Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration. Treatments for certain conditions can also affect tooth color. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration. In addition, certain infections in pregnant mothers can cause tooth discoloration in the infant by affecting enamel development.
Certain dental materials. Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to teeth.
Certain Medications – Some medications can lead to teeth stains as a side-effect. Avoid excessive use of fluoride, and/or medications which contain Tetracycline and Doxycycline, which has been associated with intrinsic teeth stains, especially in children.
Trauma – If a tooth is chipped or broken this can damage the tooth enamel or destroy the tooth nerve, leading to teeth staining over time. If you have a few teeth that darkened while the rest of your teeth appear normal, then your teeth stains may be due to trauma.
Prevention
Brushing your teeth after every meal will help to prevent some stains. Dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth with water after having wine, coffee or other drinks or foods that can stain your teeth. Regular cleanings by a dental hygienist also will help to remove surface stains.
Discoloration often can be removed by applying a bleaching agent to the tooth enamel. One technique is called “power bleaching.” With this method, the dentist applies a light-activated bleaching gel. It causes the teeth to get significantly whiter in about 30 to 45 minutes. Several follow-up treatments may be needed, or take-home bleaching trays may be provided.
By encouraging your patients to make a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to help them prevent discoloration of their pearly whites. Coffee drinkers or smokers might be persuaded to cut back or quit altogether.Also, improve your dental hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using a mouthwash daily, and getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist every 6 months.

                       







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