What Causes Stains on Teeth

Being able to flash those pearly whites can definitely add a whole new level of confidence for you. I personally admire people who have great teeth and lovely smiles, and I’ve heard that some people go to the extent of having their teeth whitened just to achieve this effect. However, there is the problem of teeth stains.

Causes of Teeth Stains

Everyone can get teeth stains—yes, even those who already have nice and white teeth. Teeth stains can be caused by consumption of staining food, and stains are usually seen when the enamel of the teeth is damaged or scratched. The enamel is the outer coating of the teeth and when it gets scratches from brushing too hard or using something abrasive on your teeth such as baking soda, it may get surface scratches where the staining pigments can be lodged into.

Some of the most common causes of teeth stains include food and drinks. When you drink a lot of coffee, wine, colas, or teas, they tend to stain your teeth. Apples and potatoes also lead to teeth stains. Consuming a lot of these foods on a regular basis may contribute to teeth discoloration.

Another top cause of teeth stains is smoking. Chewing on or smoking tobacco can stain your teeth, so if you want pearly whites, you should stay away from smoking. Habitual smokers tend to have yellow teeth caused by repetitive smoking.

Other factors which cause teeth staining include medication and dental hygiene. Antibiotics like doxycycline and tetracycline in particular have a negative effect on the color of children’s developing teeth. Poor dental hygiene, of course, also leads to teeth stains since not brushing adequately would lead to accumulation of staining agents on your teeth.

As you age, the enamel of your teeth would thin and the natural color of your teeth’s dentin, which is yellow, will be exposed. This is a natural thing to happen for those who are older, but can still be prevented by having good brushing habits matched with the use of mouthwash and dental floss for a more thorough oral cleaning routine.