Has it ever happened to you to wake up one morning with sudden brown stains on teeth? If so, then you aren’t alone! Teeth discoloration or staining is a condition that most people experience at some point in their lives. But what are the underlying factors, and how can they be solved? Let us discuss it!
Also Read:- Teeth Numbers And Tooth Chart: All You Need To Know
What Is Tooth Discoloration?
Tooth discoloration is when your teeth change color. They are typically darker, stained, or yellowish. Some causes are unavoidable, like aging or certain diseases. Others, like brushing habits and smoking, can be avoided.
This condition can affect anyone at any age and can occur gradually or suddenly. Understanding why it occurs is the first step toward managing or fixing it.
Different Types of Tooth Stains
| Type of Staining | Possible Causes |
| Yellow Staining | – Smoking or chewing tobacco |
| – Drinks like tea, coffee, or red wine | |
| – Eating a lot of sugary foods | |
| – Certain medications | |
| – Not brushing teeth properly | |
| – Dry mouth | |
| Brown Staining | – Smoking or using tobacco |
| – Drinks like tea, coffee, cola, or red wine | |
| – Fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates | |
| – Tooth decay not treated | |
| – Tartar buildup | |
| White Staining | – Cavities starting to form (will get darker over time) |
| – Too much fluoride | |
| Black Staining | – Severe tooth decay |
| – Fillings or crowns | |
| – Liquid iron supplements |
Why Teeth Turn Brown?
There are many reasons why teeth can become discolored, and they can be divided into avoidable and unavoidable causes.
Avoidable Causes:
- Dark foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and soy sauce, will discolor your teeth over time and should be avoided.
- Smoking is another important contributor, as it causes yellow or brown stains on teeth.
- Poor dental hygiene can also contribute, as failing to brush and floss correctly allows stains to stick to plaque on your teeth.
Some causes of tooth discoloration, however, cannot be avoided.
Unavoidable Causes:
- Genetics is a factor since some people have naturally darker or less bright teeth.
- Dental damage from accidents can also cause teeth to change color.
- As we age, our enamel thins, exposing the yellowish layer beneath, resulting in discoloration.
- Certain dental treatments, such as fillings or root canals, can make teeth appear gray or dark.
- Health issues, such as liver disease or a calcium deficit, may additionally affect tooth color.
- Some medications, such as antibiotics and blood pressure meds, may also cause discoloration. Finally, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy may change tooth color.
How to Treat Brown Stains on Teeth
If you find brown spots on your teeth then you do not have to suffer from them for the rest of your life. There are ways of addressing and treating them as well.
Home Remedies for Brown Stains
Here are some easy home remedies you can try, especially for surface stains:
- Try Brushing with Baking Soda: Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help scrub away those surface stains from your white teeth.
- Oil Pulling: Swish a teaspoon of coconut oil around in your mouth for a few minutes daily to dissolve plaque and prevent stains.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing twice a day, followed by flossing and mouthwash, can help prevent bacteria and stains.
When to seek professional help?
If home remedies do not work or the stains are worse, it’s important to visit a dentist. Your dentist may recommend:
- Teeth whitening
- Dental Cleaning
- Veneers or Crowns
Prevention of Tooth Stain
Prevention is always better than cure. Here’s how you can make sure that your teeth shine:
- Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly keeps away plaque and stains.
- Use a straw: When drinking coffee, tea, or soda, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
- Rinse after eating: Rinse your mouth with water after consuming foods or drinks that can stain your teeth.
- Quit smoking: This not only prevents tooth discoloration but also improves your overall health.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Professional cleanings can help remove stains before they become a bigger problem.
Conclusion
If you’ve noticed your tooth turning brown or sudden brown stains on teeth, don’t panic! There are plenty of solutions to address the issue. For mild cases, home remedies might do the trick. However, persistent or severe stains should be evaluated by a dentist to rule out underlying issues and determine the best treatment.
FAQs
1. What causes sudden brown stains between teeth?
Brown stains that suddenly appear between teeth are in most cases attributed to plaque formation, smoking, or dark-colored food and drinks.
2. Why is my tooth turning brown?
A tooth may be brown naturally due to aging, an injury, decay, or poor dental hygiene. One should consult a dentist for proper diagnosis and or treatment of the disease.
3. Can home remedies help eliminate brown stains on teeth?
Some surface stains can be removed through home remedies such as baking soda, oil pulling, or practicing proper oral hygiene. Professional treatments are required for more serious cases of staining.
4. Are brown stains on teeth permanent?
Not necessarily. While some stains can be easily treated, others are known to be intrinsical and may need dental treatment like teeth whitening whitener or dental veneers.
5. What measures should be taken to avoid teeth staining?
Take special dental care, avoid foods and drinks that cause staining, avoid smoking, and seek regular visits with your dentist.