External painting
Surface pigments settle on the pellicle - the thinnest film on the enamel - and in dental plaque. The rougher the enamel surface and the worse the hygiene, the faster and deeper the color accumulates. The most common culprits are strong tea, coffee, coloring drinks, spices like turmeric, tobacco and naswar, as well as some mouthwashes when used for a long time. This staining evenly covers all teeth, is more pronounced in the cervical area and between the teeth and is easily removed by professional cleaning.
- Tea, coffee, coloring drinks
- Smoking and nasvay
- Spices and dyes in food
- Plaque and tartar
- Long-term use of individual rinse aids
- Rough enamel after erosions
Internal color change
Here the color is embedded in the tooth tissue itself. With age, enamel thins and dentin becomes thicker and darker, so teeth naturally turn yellow—this is not a disease. Trauma can lead to hemorrhage into the pulp and death of the nerve: the tooth gradually turns gray or pinkish-brown. After root canal treatment, the tooth darkens if there are particles of pulp or filling material left inside. Taking tetracycline antibiotics during the period of tooth formation produces persistent streaks, and excess fluoride results in fluorosis with chalky and brown spots.
- Age-related thickening of dentin
- Tooth trauma and pulp death
- Consequences of endodontic treatment
- Caries, including those hidden under a filling
- Tetracycline teeth
- Fluorosis
- Amalgam and old fillings
White and chalky spots
White spots are often less frightening than dark ones, although sometimes they mean more. A chalky, matte spot without shine, especially along the gums and around braces, is early caries, the stage of demineralization of the enamel. At this stage, the process is reversible and can be treated by remineralization without drilling. Multiple symmetrical white and brown spots on the teeth of the same name are characteristic of fluorosis, which develops if the child received excess fluoride during the period of teeth formation. Enamel hypoplasia also occurs after illnesses suffered in childhood.
- Initial caries - a dull spot near the gums
- White spots around braces
- Fluorosis - symmetrical spots
- Enamel hypoplasia
- Early remineralization therapy
- Infiltration or restoration for persistent defects
What does a dentist do?
The appointment begins with an examination and finding out whether all teeth are stained or just one, whether there is pain, whether there has been an injury or root canal treatment. If a single tooth darkens, be sure to take a targeted photo and check whether the nerve is alive. Then the doctor removes the plaque and stone: often, after professional hygiene, the patient sees his natural shade and understands whether anything else is needed. Next we discuss options depending on the cause: whitening, in-canal bleaching of a dead tooth, composite restoration, veneers or a crown.
- Examination and history taking
- Sight image of darkening of one tooth
- Pulp vitality check
- Professional hygiene and stone removal
- Whitening live teeth
- Intra-canal whitening of a pulpless tooth
- Restoration, veneer or crown
Prevention and care
Saving the shade is easier than returning it. The basis is high-quality daily hygiene: brushing twice a day, cleaning the interdental spaces with floss or a brush, professional cleaning by a hygienist within the timeframe agreed upon by the doctor. It is useful to rinse your mouth with water after tea, coffee and coloring foods and not to abuse acidic drinks, which soften the enamel. Quitting smoking and nasvay significantly improves color. Abrasive whitening pastes, soda and activated carbon are not suitable for constant use - they wear away the enamel, and the tooth becomes darker over time.
- Brushing teeth twice a day, flossing or brushes
- Professional hygiene on time
- Rinsing with water after coloring drinks
- Quitting smoking and nasvay
- Avoiding baking soda and charcoal as whitening agents
- Do not brush your teeth immediately after sour food - wait 30 minutes