Many people aim to maintain a beautiful and pearly white smile. But a number of factors might change the color of your teeth and disrupt the brilliant appearance of your smile. You can consult with a cosmetic dentist to find treatments that can brighten your smile once more.
However, tooth discoloration might be a symptom of a larger dental concern. If you notice stains or other changes in your smile, you should let your dentist know.
Discoloration might present in several different ways, and each one could point to a certain dental issue. Read on to discover details about the various types of dental discoloration you might develop on your teeth.
Dark Dental Stains
A brown or black stain on your teeth can appear stark against the white appearance of the rest of your teeth. Often, dark dental discoloration stems from the substances you consume. Dark foods and beverages get their color from particles called tannins.
When you ingest tannins, they transfer to your teeth, absorb into the enamel, and leave dark stains behind that will not go away on your own. You can ask your dentist about teeth-whitening treatments that will remove these stubborn stains from your smile.
Some efforts can reduce your risk of forming these stains, including diluting dark beverages or drinking through a straw. But you should pay attention to your diet and how it affects your tooth color.
Sometimes, dark dental discoloration might develop as a side effect of cavities. Do not ignore this issue. Make sure you seek a dental evaluation if you see dark tooth stains so that you can get the treatment you need.
Yellowing in Teeth
If your teeth start to look yellow, the cause might be consuming staining agents, just as with dark dental discoloration. However, yellowing teeth might happen in the wake of dental erosion too.
Your teeth feature an outer layer called enamel that shields the most vulnerable internal layers of your teeth. But poor oral hygiene, medications, or aging can cause enamel to wear down over time. Then dentin becomes exposed and visible, and it will make your teeth appear yellow.
Depending on the severity of the enamel damage, your dentist might suggest cosmetic or restorative dental treatments. Your enamel cannot regrow on its own, so speak to a dentist about this problem.
Dull or Grey Tooth Color
Your teeth might seem dull or greyish in color if you suffer an injury to the pulp, the innermost layer of a tooth. Excess pressure from chronic tooth grinding or a blow to the face can damage the blood vessels within the tooth. If the tooth pulp cannot receive enough blood, it can become non-vital.
Non-vital tooth pulp does not always require emergency dental treatment. But you may not appreciate the discoloration that can occur as a side effect. Learn more about this concern by contacting your dentist.
White Spots on Teeth
Though you prefer to keep your teeth white, you might feel unhappy if your teeth form creamy, harsh-looking white spots. This uneven appearance might happen if your teeth lack calcium.
The spots signify weak areas in the tooth enamel. You will need to discuss remineralization solutions with your dentist to strengthen the teeth and restore your tooth color.