Extrinsic teeth stains are a common aesthetic concern, and can affect your smiles and confidence, especially in the public space. Apart from the unpleasant look they give your teeth, they also serve as a retentive factor for plaque, which is the primary culprit for gum diseases and tooth decay.
What Are Extrinsic Teeth Stains?
Teeth discoloration can be extrinsic, intrinsic or internalized. Extrinsic teeth stains are those forms of discoloration that form on enamel, that is the external surface of the teeth. They are surface level stains that are easily removed with adequate dental treatment.
Common Causes of Extrinsic Teeth Stains
Many factors are responsible for teeth discoloration. Some of the common causes of extrinsic teeth stains include the following:
Poor Oral Hygiene
When you don’t brush your teeth properly either because you are not using the right technique or because of sheer negligence, it encourages the buildup of plaque and calculus. Whereas, dental plaque is removable by brushing, calculus is not.
Calculus usually appears as a yellowish discoloration that builds up from around the neck of the tooth, just immediately above the gums. It often gets darker with age and as it increases in size. Calculus that forms within the gums may appear brown, black or green in color.
The presence of plaque traps stains from the things we eat and drink, and causes teeth discoloration.
Diet
Certain foods and beverages contain chromogenic substances that are capable of staining the teeth. For example, coffee and tea contain tannin that gives off brown stains on the teeth. Certain chromogenic bacteria also produce brown stains. These stains are commonly seen on the lingual surface of the lower anterior teeth and on the buccal surface of the upper posterior teeth.
Tobacco Use
According to the World Health Organization, cigarette smoking is the most commonly used form of tobacco globally. Tobacco smoking produces dark brown to black stains on the teeth, while chewing tobacco products produces a yellowish stain on your teeth.
Oral Solutions that Contain Iron
Iron syrups are routinely given to children to prevent iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. These solutions, however, can produce black stains on the teeth surfaces, making them appear unesthetic.
Chronic Use of Mouthwashes
Mouthwashes are mainly used to maintain oral hygiene. In addition to the benefits they offer, they can also cause stains on the teeth when used for a long period of time. According to manuel et al., 2010, chlorhexidine produces yellowish brown stains, when it combines with sulfate and acidic groups found in acquired pellicle (a thin film of saliva that lines the enamel a few seconds after teeth brushing), plaque and bacteria cell wall while essential oils and phenols in mouth rinses produce yellow teeth stains.
How to Get Rid of Teeth Stains
The good thing about extrinsic stains is that it is easier to remove them compared to the intrinsic and internalized types. Here are 7 ways you can get rid of these stains, including some home remedies.
1. Avoid Beverages And Drinks that Stain Teeth
Taking coffee and tea will stain your teeth because of their high tannin content. Drinks like red wine that also stain teeth are acidic. One sure way to prevent teeth stains from these drinks is to avoid them if you can.
However, if you feel that you cannot do without them, then, it is essential you rinse your mouth with water after taking coffee, tea, red wine or any other food product capable of staining your teeth, and brush regularly.
It is not advisable to brush immediately after taking coffee or red wine because its acidic content weakens the enamel. Brushing immediately after consumption of acidic foods and drinks will lead to wearing away of the enamel.
2. Drink Beverages with a Straw
Using a straw while taking beverages will ensure they don’t make contact with your teeth and help prevent teeth stains.
Always avoid swishing beverages in your mouth or trying to rinse your mouth with the drinks as doing this will cause the drinks to bathe your teeth and defeat the reason for which you used the straw in the first place.
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking does not only stain the teeth, it also affects your dental health and your overall health. In addition to causing teeth stains, smoking causes bad breath, gum diseases, tooth loss, and delay in healing of extraction and oral surgical wounds. People who smoke are at higher risk of developing oral cancer. Therefore, the decision to quit smoking is indeed a lifesaving one.
Quitting the use of chewable tobacco will prevent the deposition of tobacco stains on your teeth.
4. Regular Professional Teeth Cleaning
Dental professional cleanings are vital in maintaining good oral hygiene. Whereas brushing teeth can remove plaque, calculus or tartar, once formed is not removable by brushing no matter how hard you brush. It can only be removed by dental professionals using specialized instruments.
Scaling and polishing is the procedure that removes plaque, calculus, and extrinsic stains from the teeth. It is not the same as teeth whitening. Professional teeth cleaning does not only restore your clean and shiny teeth, it also maintains your dental health.
So, how often should one do scaling and polishing of the teeth? Except otherwise indicated by your dentist, professional teeth cleaning should be done twice yearly (every 6 months).
5. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene practice means removing plaque and keeping your teeth clean by brushing twice daily after breakfast and after dinner using a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing at least once a day.
It also involves brushing your teeth using the right technique and the right toothbrush. ADA recommends that you brush for two minutes using a soft bristle toothbrush, while applying gentle pressure.
6. Brushing with Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes contain chemical substances that are capable of removing extrinsic teeth stains. Although manufacturers of these toothpastes may claim that their products have whitening effects on the teeth, there is limited evidence to show that whitening toothpastes have the same efficacy as whitening strips and gel, according to ADA.
These toothpastes should not be used as regular dentifrices for brushing, because they can cause tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and can abrade the enamel.
Colgate total whitening toothpaste gel and Crest pro-health gum restore whitening are some whitening toothpastes that have ADA seal of acceptance.
7. Use of Whitening Rinses, Strips or Gels
Whitening rinses may help in removing extrinsic stains. These rinses contain bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. You may have to use them for a longer period to achieve a desired result.
Whitening strips and gels contain higher concentrations of bleaching agents and produce a whitening effect within a short time. These products should be used with caution and only for the purpose of stain removal. Do not use them for long periods of time as this may cause tooth sensitivity, gingival inflammation, and even enamel erosion.
Do not use over-the-counter teeth whitening products on children without the approval of a pediatric dentist. If your child has teeth stains, take them to see a pediatric dentist for professional care.
Conclusion
Extrinsic stains can give your teeth an unpleasant appearance. You can prevent them by practicing good oral hygiene and by regular dental visits. If you already have extrinsic stains, schedule a visit to your dentist. You may also find the use of some of the whitening products we talked about helpful. Don’t let stains rob you of your smile and confidence. See your dentist as soon as possible.
