Black stains on teeth can appear for multiple reasons, like oral hygiene, foods and drinks, and dental issues. Teeth are naturally white due to calcium. Whitish-yellow and a whitish-gray color are also typical in teeth; the color depends on the amount of calcium in your tooth enamel. Over time, tooth enamel starts wearing down, and numerous factors leave stains on your teeth.
Types of Tooth Stains
Stains can appear on the surface of your teeth or due to damage within the tooth’s structural formation. The two common types of stains are:
- Extrinsic Stains: When the external causes like enamel damage, tartar buildup, and stains leave marks on the tooth’s surface.
- Intrinsic Stains: When damage from within alters the tooth color, like decay and cavities. The damage starts from inside and slowly progresses outside. If not treated, it might start as marks, slowly discoloring the entire tooth.
What Causes Black Stains on Teeth?
Tooth discoloration does not happen in a snap. Thus, you can see a dentist before any of the following causes stain your teeth any further:
- Cavities: Harmful bacteria in your mouth destroy the tooth enamel, slowly eating it away. As a result, a dark hole appears on the affected tooth.
- Tartar: Plaque can accumulate on your gum line and teeth, hardening into tartar. Tartar can be black in color.
- Dental Restoration: Amalgam fillings and crowns can cause your teeth to look black.
- Tobacco: People who consume tobacco by chewing or smoking have increased chances of developing black stains on their teeth.
- Diet: Pigmented or dark-colored food can leave black marks on your teeth. For instance, coffee and tea can leave dark stains on the surface of your teeth.
- Medications: Certain medications can make your teeth appear black over time, like liquid iron supplements.
Black Teeth Treatment
There are no effective home remedies or treatments for black stains on teeth. Hence, you need to visit your dentist if you have noticed dark spots on your teeth. They will identify the cause of black-stained teeth and recommend a suitable treatment. They can remove tartar using special dental equipment if it is the reason for dark marks on your teeth’s surface. If the reason is tooth decay, they can remove the affected area and fill it with a dental filling material. External stains can be removed with professional teeth cleanings.
Preventing Black Stains on Teeth
Black stains on teeth do not appear overnight. You can avoid tooth discoloration by sticking to the following:
- Brush your teeth at least twice throughout the day, using a fluoride toothpaste
- Daily clean in-between your teeth with floss or other interdental cleaners
- Drop by your dental clinic for a routine checkup at least twice a year
- Cut down on coffee, cola, red wine, black tea, and tobacco products
- Avoid dry mouth by staying hydrated and asking your dentist for treatments or medicine replacements to stop it
What to do?
If your teeth have been developing black stains, there is a likely cause. Your dentist can help you determine the reason and suggest adequate treatments. Our experts at Gessner Smile Dentistry are always here to help; dial 713-858-8513 for consultations and appointments.