In the practice of Noradent, many patients come with complaints about tooth discolouration, like yellow/brown stains and spots. Before their removal, it is necessary to first determine the cause.
Causes of changed tooth colour:
- Consumption of certain types of food and beverages
- Harmful habits – smoking, etc.
- Unclean and stained dental plaque and tartar
- Use of a specific type of mouthwash
- Stains of Pristley’s plaque – pinpoint dark brown spots on the teeth
- Dark natural tooth colour, etc.
Frequent consumption of certain foods such as berries, raspberry, dark chocolate, etc., as well as beverages like red wine, black tea, carrot and beetroot juices, etc., lead to teeth discolouration. Harmful habits like smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes also change the colour and cause unwanted stains.
Irregular professional cleaning of dental tartar and plaque also colours the teeth. That’s why the Noradent team recommends regular check-ups and hygiene visits. Professional teeth cleaning maintains the natural colour, reduces staining, and minimises the risk of cavities and gum inflammation.
The use of personal oral hygiene products such as mouthwash with special active ingredients for an extended period of time also changes the colour of the teeth. Therefore, at Noradent, we recommend their use only under the prescription of a dental professional.
Many parents complain that their children have dark brown pinpoint spots on their baby teeth. This is called Pristley’s plaque, which is associated with an excess of pigment-forming bacteria in the mouth. Very often, these spots disappear during the normal shedding of the milk teeth and do not reappear.
In many individuals, the colour of the teeth is darker with shades of yellow, brown, and grey. This is due to the natural colour of the dentin, which shows through the enamel. In such cases, Noradent recommends teeth whitening options.
What methods exist for removing stains and discolouration?
The primary method for removing stains and discolouration is polishing the teeth after cleaning. Polishing can be done with a special paste or powder. Polishing with an Airflow system involves a strong stream of water, air, and powder particles in an optimal ratio.
Patients need to maintain a high level of oral hygiene at home. To reduce staining, it is necessary to decrease the consumption of coloured foods and beverages for long-lasting results.
If a patient desires to whiten their teeth, at Noradent we offer two options – in-office and at-home bleaching. We assess the detailed dental status and determine which method to use. Each step of the procedure is explained to the patient. The side effects could be temporary tooth or gum sensitivity. In our opinion, at-home bleaching provides the longest-lasting and most satisfactory effect. It is highly gentle and can be performed under controlled conditions and supervision.
There are also discolourations caused by fluorosis. This is a defect in the hard tooth tissues resulting from the intake of fluoride in quantities higher than optimal. It can only develop during the formation of the tooth structures before the eruption of the teeth.
There are mild forms of fluorosis with chalky white spots and more severe ones with brown colouration. The treatment for such spots or discolourations can involve remineralizing agents, whitening agents, composite (bonding), and ceramic restorations.
Dental Studio Noradent - City Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
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