Dental Stain

  One of the fundamental functions of our mouths is to communicate with others through speech or through a smile.  You may smile broadly into a mirror because you are proud of your teeth or you may glimpse quickly and look away because you are not happy with the way your teeth appear.  One reason for not grinning from ear to ear is dental stain.  The good news is that there are many ways to combat and treat dental stain.  There are two different kinds of stain:  intrinsic and extrinsic.  Intrinsic stain is discoloration of the internal structure of your tooth.  It can be caused by medications, illness, trauma, cavities, dental restorations, age and hereditary diseases.   Treatments available for people affected by intrinsic stain include fillings, veneers, crowns and whitening.   The second type of stain that we see is extrinsic stain or discolorations on the surface of the tooth.  This type of stain is caused by tea, coffee, wine, tobacco, medication, metal and bacteria.  It can have the appearance of brown, black, orange or green bands around the teeth depending on the causative agent.  Poor oral hygiene, low saliva flow and enamel defects are contributing factors for this type of stain. Extrinsic stain can be removed by thorough oral hygiene.  Brushing your teeth and gums twice a day thoroughly for two minutes as well as flossing daily will help prevent the buildup of stain.  Using a soft toothbrush with an ADA approved toothpaste is best for stain and plaque removal.  A professional dental cleaning by your dental hygienist or dentist will also remove stain that you may not be able to remove with your toothbrush or floss alone and is usually done 1-4 times a year depending on your clinical needs.  Consult your dentist if you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth.  There may be a few simple options for you that will make you feel much more confident when you share your smile with the world around you.

-Authored by Robin Hogan, DDS