7/7/22
Tooth Discoloration:
Understanding the Three
Types of Teeth Stains
Day in and day out we use our mouths to
speak, laugh, smile, eat and drink, and our
teeth are one of the first things people
notice when we’re doing these things. We
grow up learning to brush our teeth at least
twice daily and floss once daily but to avoid
tooth discoloration from teeth stains, know
this just isn’t enough! Like everything, teeth
begin to show wear and tear over time which
leads to noticeable tooth discoloration.
Depending on your habits, food and liquid
consumption, and hereditary predisposition,
your teeth stains are going to call you out on
what’s up with your teeth unless you go the
extra mile for a bright, healthy smile.
No matter who you are or what you do, you
are going to face tooth discoloration. How
dreamy would it be to have pearly whites like
that cute little toddler chasing you around?
Chances are this won’t be your natural fate
but add teeth whitening into your regular
routine and you’ll be quite the competition
for that toddling babe.
Alright, let’s break things down so you
understand what’s happening on the surface
of the teeth you’ve worked so hard to keep
in their most youthful condition. There are
three types of stains: extrinsic, intrinsic and
age-related. To fully understand what’s
happening to your teeth, learning more
about each type of stain will allow you
better ability to combat tooth discoloration.
Extrinsic Teeth Stains
Life is exhausting—this so called ‘adulting’
thing is a lot of work. So, to get through the
day maybe you rely on your favorite dark
pigmented beverage that really cranks in the
caffeine or one to calm you at the end of the
day. These kinds of drinks may help simmer
the flame of exhaustion and stress, but
they’re fueling the fire of extrinsic teeth
stains, along with some other choice habits.
What Causes Extrinsic
Teeth Stains
A large contributor to extrinsic teeth stains
are dark colored beverages. Coffee, tea,
cola and red wine may be truly loved and
enjoyed, but they are leaving behind
pigmented particles that cause extrinsic
teeth stains. The enamel is the outer
surface of the tooth, which happens to be
porous, so each time you take a sip, the
liquid brushes by your teeth and leaves
behind small, pigmented particles. These
particles are too stubborn to be removed
by only tooth brushing and flossing so
maintaining additional dental care is
essential for a bright smile.
Not only are beverages to blame for
extrinsic teeth stains: tobacco is also a large
contributor. If you’re someone who needs a
cigarette to de-stress, or find chewing
tobacco soothing, unfortunately these
habits are contributing a large amount to
your extrinsic teeth stains. Nicotine and tar
in tobacco cause yellowing of the teeth and
create extra plaque build-up, which can also
lead to gum disease.
How to Combat Extrinsic
Teeth Stains
Though tooth brushing and flossing are
essential to positive oral health, and though
extrinsic stains are external, these alone are
not enough to remove the highly pigmented
particles that have met your porous tooth
surface. Routine dental cleaning, typically
once every six months, and a tooth whitening
regimen that contains a whitening gel will
help combat some of the things you need or
want to get you through the day.
If you’re a tobacco user, it may be a good
idea to chat with your dentist about oral
care specific to this habit because they may
recommend further attention than standard
toothpaste and the bi-yearly cleaning.
Intrinsic Teeth Stains
What are Intrinsic Teeth Stains
Intrinsic teeth stains are just that: IN. These
tough stains come from a few different
sources and reside inside your teeth. Some
particles that began as extrinsic stains may
work their way through the porous enamel
layer of the tooth to the inner dentin. Once
on the inside, the stain becomes harder to
remove.
What Causes Intrinsic
Teeth Stains
Some causes of intrinsic teeth stains may be
the result of total accident. An injury to the
tooth where the root becomes damaged can
cause discoloration on the inside of the
tooth which is visible on the outside. Playing
sports is a common arena for dental injury,
especially contact sports, where your mouth
may accidentally be hit by a flying ball or
rogue elbow. Being aware of the dangers any
sport, activity or hobby may have will help
you have the knowledge to better protect
every part of your body
Believe it or not, an unexpected source of
intrinsic staining can result from a side effect
of medication (tetracycline in children; high
blood pressure medication, antipsychotics
and antihistamine drugs). Another source
can be from the overuse of fluoride. This
mainly occurs in children so be sure to know
if there’s fluoride added to your water,
confirm with your child’s doctor the
necessity of a fluoride tablet if one is being
recommended and be aware if their
toothpaste contains fluoride.
How to Combat Intrinsic
Teeth Stains
Knowing that intrinsic teeth stains can be
amplified by extrinsic teeth stains is a huge
incentive to stay on top of extrinsic stain
removal by your favorite dental hygienist
(yes, it’s possible to have a favorite!) and
commit to a tooth whitening regimen that
includes a whitening toothpaste.
When you know you may place yourself at
risk for dental injury, like sport playing, wear
protective gear to help prevent a dental
accident. A mouth guard will not only help
prevent damage that could lead to intrinsic
teeth staining, but it could prevent chipping
or dislodging a tooth.
Unfortunately, intrinsic teeth stains are
harder to remove than extrinsic teeth stains,
and sometimes it’s hard to prevent
discoloration by fate of an accident. Talking
with your dentist and sticking with a
suggested oral regimen will be your best bet
for combating tough intrinsic teeth stains.
Any measure to help prevent intrinsic teeth
stains will be worth it in the long run.
Age-Related Teeth Stains
Getting older has some great perks, but may
include some less-desirable wrinkles, reading
glasses and tooth discoloration. How you
maintain your oral health in your younger
years will certainly impact the advancement
of age-related teeth stains because you will
have addressed extrinsic and intrinsic teeth
stains, to the best of your ability, as they
occurred. However, no matter the kindness
you’ve given to your oral health, there's a
high probability you will face some less
desirable teeth stains as the years march on.
What are Age-Related
Teeth Stains
Tooth enamel has been mentioned
previously, but to reiterate, it is the external
surface of the tooth, the protective layer,
and chances are you have heard of it prior
to reading this. Dentin, however, may sound
less familiar but actually makes up the
majority of your tooth, and lies in the center
(above the third layer and final layer, the
pulp). Dentin was mentioned above with
relation to intrinsic staining and when those
pesky pigmented particles make their way
through the enamel, they settle into the
dentin. This is all significant because as you
age, your tooth enamel thins, allowing the
dentin to become more visible. Over time,
the dentin begins to yellow, naturally, so the
thinning outer layer exposes age more than
you may be able to control. Certainly,
hereditary predisposition affects this, like
the amount of natural yellowing and
thickness and transparency of enamel; also,
if you ever experienced dental injury, this
discoloration may be more visible, too, as
the tooth enamel changes.
How to Combat Age-Related
Teeth Stains
The best way to help combat some of this
fate is to stay on-top of extrinsic staining so
the discoloration isn’t amplified by extrinsic
AND intrinsic teeth stains. Also, remember
to wear protective gear to help prevent
dental injury when your mouth could be
vulnerable to an accidental hit.
Visit your dentist regularly, every six months,
and maintain quality dental hygiene at home
that includes a whitening gel as part of your
daily regimen.
Remember this: “You’re never fully dressed
until you smile,” so you want to be
comfortable and confident behind that
smile. The best way to do that is to
understand teeth staining (extrinsic, intrinsic
and age-related) and properly take care of
your smile. Everything is good in
moderation, so “they” say, so if you’re going
to enjoy a dark pigmented beverage or food,
or partake in certain habits, follow up with a
good dental routine that includes your
preferred toothpaste and tooth whitening
gel. See your dentist regularly, typically
twice yearly, unless they’ve advised a more
frequent schedule based on your oral needs.
Finally, one last tip, reschedule your next
routine dental visit while you’re there so you
don’t forget how much time has passed in
between cleanings and fall off schedule.
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