Life is better in full colour, except when it comes to our teeth! Tooth discolouration can be really embarrassing for a lot of people, but there are things you can do to prevent and even treat the issue.
Here’s a breakdown of the different colour stains and what each colour usually means.
Yellow
Bad news for smokers, we’re afraid! If you smoke or chew tobacco, you may be prone to yellow staining.
Lots of other things can cause yellow staining as well. It can also be caused by certain drinks, such as tea or coffee or red wine.
Sometimes the causes are less obvious. Certain medications can create yellow stains, as can suffering from chronic dry mouth, or having a sugary diet.
It’s important to take care of your oral hygiene. It probably doesn’t surprise you too much to learn that this can lead to staining.
Brown
If you have brown spots on your teeth, there might be many reasons. For example, tobacco can actually cause brown stains too, as can the exact same drinks that cause yellow ones.
Certain fruits can also be a bit of a nightmare for your teeth. Blackberries, blueberries and pomegranates can leave brown marks.
Poor oral hygiene can also play a part in brown discolouration. When you don’t clean your teeth properly and remember to floss, plaque can build up and become tartar, which can lead to brown stains. Untreated tooth decay can also lead to brown hues as well.
Grey
Grey teeth aren’t as common as they once were. This is because an antibiotic called tetracycline used to be prescribed to pregnant women and children under the age of 8, but this doesn’t happen anymore.
Grey teeth can also be as a result of a rare condition called Dentinogenesis Imperfecta. It affects tooth development and weakens them. They’re at risk for damage, and can make the teeth grey as well.
Other causes include metal dental work, untreated tooth decay or serious dental trauma.
Black
If your teeth are stained black, you might need to see one of our friendly Australian dentists. These kinds of stains can be caused by an advanced dental cavity.
Black stains can also be due to fillings and crowns that contain silver sulfide. These aren’t used very often anymore.
Finally, be careful if you take liquid iron supplements. These can also lead to black marks.
Purple
Love a cheeky glass of red wine? Be careful! You can actually end up with purple undertones to your teeth - and nobody wants that!
White
It may sound odd, but some people really do get white stains. Cavities can cause white spots, although these often get darker as they get worse.
Too much fluoride can cause white spots as well, although in the right amounts, it’s actually great for your teeth.
Here’s How We Can Help
Teeth whitening is an easy way to brighten your smile and increase your self confidence.
At smilogy, our Australian dentists will take a look at the colour of your stains to ensure that you’ll be eligible for treatment, and will address any potential issues which may cause a barrier.
Then you can go ahead and get started. Whitening itself is super convenient. Simply book in for a 100% accurate 3D scan which takes a perfect impression of your teeth. This ensures your custom whitening trays fit perfectly, allowing the whitening gel to coat each tooth evenly.
Book Now
To begin your custom whitening journey - call us now on 02 8005 4434 or get in touch .