Who doesn’t enjoy a cool glass of wine on a calm Saturday evening? Or perhaps a hot, steaming cup of coffee to start the day? The point is no matter what you go for, most of the things you eat and drink can stain your teeth.
It might not sound as bad, especially since you can just brush it away, but that’s not exactly true. Given the various types of stains out there, some cling to the outer layer of your teeth, while others sink in deeper, affecting the surface underneath.
What Are The Different Types Of Teeth Stains?
Teeth discoloration is a normal process, one that occurs due to several reasons. Moreover, according to research and studies, dentists have come to categorize these stains into three different types, that include:
Extrinsic Stains
When a stain appears on the outer layer of the tooth or the enamel, it’s known as an extrinsic tooth stain. Essentially, these stains come to be when pigmented stain particles cluster on top of the enamel. Or rather, they gather on the layer of protein that protects the enamel itself.
Extrinsic stains are usually caused by smoking tobacco, drinking coffee, wine, and dark carbonated drinks.
Intrinsic Stains
Although a bit troublesome, intrinsic stains are the type of stains that reach far into your tooth. That is to say, when the stain particles penetrate the layer of enamel and find their way into the dentin, that’s when you know it’s an intrinsic stain.
This usually happens when your pearly whites are exposed to excessive fluoride. However, intrinsic stains can also form as a side effect of using certain types of medications, with tetracycline being one of them.
Age-Related Stains
Rather than being caused by something specific, age-related stains occur on their own. Over time, bacteria and stain particles can get stuck to your teeth, making them more permanent. This is why most adults with natural teeth have a yellow tint since the enamel and dentin both turn yellow.
How To Remove Stains From Teeth?
As pesky as the above-mentioned types of teeth stains can be, removing them is even harder. You might be tempted to try life hacks you saw online or buy a teeth whitening product from the dollar store. But that’s no good. In the case of intrinsic or age-related stains, getting rid of them isn’t exactly easy. Only your dentist can offer the proper treatments to fix them, making your pearly whites seem brand new again.
For extrinsic stains, however, professional teeth whitening is the way to go. Not only are dentists skilled in this field, but they’re also proficient enough to get your teeth to shine without damaging the enamel.
Nonetheless, for stubborn kinds of tooth discoloration, all it takes is a professional deep cleaning procedure. Your dentist will ensure your teeth are well cared for and properly cleaned.
The Final Takeaway
All in all, there are three types of teeth stains — extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. As confusing as it may sound, it’s nothing to be concerned about. Besides putting a damper on your smile, stains are merely an aesthetic issue. They’re not harmful in any way. But if you’re looking to wipe the yellowness away, contact Royalty Dental Associates to get the best dental treatment of your life. To schedule an appointment, simply dial (281) 655-0500 (Spring Cypress Road) or (281) 288-0900 (Interstate Highway 45).
