Dental stains are caused by a variety of sources, and while many people view dental stains as a result of poor oral hygiene, that’s not necessarily always the case. Knowing what you can do to prevent dental stains can help you walk out of the house every day with a more confident smile, and if you already have them, scheduling an appointment with Red Bank Smiles is a great way to get rid of them!

Tobacco Use & Diet

One of the more common causes of dental stains is your diet–in fact, coffee, tea, colas, wines, tomatoes and berries, dark leafy greens, starchy foods such as pasta and potatoes, and tobacco use can all cause staining! That’s not to say you have to cut them all out entirely.

Rinsing your mouth out and brushing your teeth regularly after consuming them can dramatically reduce stains and discoloration.

Dental Materials

Amalgam restorations–also known as “silver” fillings for cavities–are known to cause dental stains in some patients. This, along with a number of other factors, has caused many dentists to transition to composite restorations, which consist of plastic and ceramic compounds.

At Red Bank Smiles, we embrace the future and try to use composite restorations whenever possible to ensure the health of your teeth.

Blunt Trauma

If people suffer blunt force trauma to their teeth while playing sports or during horseplay, it may disturb the formation of their enamel, causing permanent discoloration. Similarly, adult teeth can suffer discoloration when a hard impact causes blood flow to decrease to the tooth.

Diseases or Medical Treatments

Dental stains aren’t always the result of negligence. Sometimes, they form from medical treatments like chemotherapy, infection during pregnancy, or the antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline in children under age 8.

Some mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium can also stain teeth, so ask your dentist what mouthwashes you should use!

Dental Stain Treatment

While some dental stains may be permanent, there’s certain avenues a dental professional can take to reduce or eliminate the appearance of stains on your teeth.

For tartar and plaque-caused stains, a routine cleaning could help brighten up your smile by scraping, rubbing, or polishing the discoloration off your teeth. For more stubborn stains, a solution can range from professional whitening, isolated bonding, or porcelain veneers.

Our cosmetic dentistry services are unmatched. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Klayman!