Staining teeth is a common problem for many people these days. There are different types of stains which get developed on teeth. The most common stains are black, yellow, and brown color stains. These tooth stains are generally caused by lifestyle and food habits. Some of the noted staining culprits are-
Common Causes :
- Beverages- Tea and coffee consist of tannins (a type of plant compound, primarily found in beverages), which causes stains.
- Vegetables- Potato & beetroot are highly pigmented and cause stains. One should wash his mouth properly after eating potato and beetroot.
- Fruits- Pomegranate, Indian blackberries, and blueberries can cause teeth staining.
- Ketchup- Tomato sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar can cause staining.
- Food- Noodles, Pasta contains starch which causes cavities in teeth and has staining factors.
- Beetle and beetle nut cause red color staining on teeth.
- Smoking- Smoking is responsible for black color stains. It gradually stains the Palette of the mouth and forms black color patches called the smoker’s palette.
- Colored cold drinks- contain acid which corrodes the enamel on teeth and the color in it creates stains on teeth.
- Children are mostly given Doxycycline and Tetracycline during their growth phase which forms a black color band on teeth. These are intrinsic stains and don’t get removed easily.
- Medicines- Iron, folic acid, hypertensive and anti-psychotic drugs also form stains on teeth.
- Water- Drinking water consisting of high iron content can cause staining on teeth.
- Chocolates and candies also cause staining of teeth.
- Mouthwash- Chlorhexidine mouthwash is generally good for your teeth but, prolonged use of it can cause staining.
How can we prevent staining?
- Mouthwash- Always wash your mouth after half an hour of consuming tea or coffee.
- Green tea- Replace tea and coffee with green tea.
- Drink cold drinks with a straw to avoid direct contact of teeth with cold drink.
- Brushing- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Use dental floss once at the night.
- Use doctor-prescribed mouthwash once a day.
- Regular dental check every 6 months is recommended to maintain good oral health.
On Camera : Dr. Arpita Dash
