Clear Answers To Questions About Stained Teeth

What Causes Stained Teeth?

Teeth are comprised of enamel and dentin. Tooth enamel is a clear/transparent coating that protects the dentin from extreme temperatures and impact. The color of dentin varies per person; some have very white dentin while others have an off white yellow or brown color. Dentin cannot be whitened however the stains on the tooth's enamel can be stain free. With that being said teeth whitening will only restore your teeth to their natural color, whether it be white or an off white yellow or brown. Damaged Enamel will result in inconsistent results. Indentations or chips on the surface of a tooth is a sign of damaged enamel. These teeth are usually sensitive to extreme (hot and cold) temperatures and is appears stained.

How do foods and beverages stain tooth enamel?

Tooth enamel changes as you get older. Like a piece of pottery that gets fine lines over time, the stain gets into the little cracks and crevices. You need to watch out for these three things:

Chromogens. Compounds with strong pigments that cling to enamel which are found in coffee and red wine.

Tannins. Plant-based compounds that make it easier for stains to stick to teeth.

Acids. These make tooth enamel softer and rougher, so it's easier for stains to set in.

Which foods and beverages are the worst enamel strainers?

1. Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea are very common culprits when it comes to stained teeth. Coffee is also one of the worst offenders on this list of foods and drinks. Teeth are porous, and liquids can be easily absorbed into their surface. Dark or black coffee can really do a number on the appearance of your smile. Don’t despair, though: you may not need to give up coffee entirely. Try lightening up your morning cup of Joe with a little bit of milk, and this should help diminish the potential for stains. Just like coffee, dark-colored teas can stain the teeth. Tea contains tannins, which can make a person’s smile appear dull and stained. To diminish the stain factor when it comes to tea, try drinking lighter-colored teas that have fewer tannins and a lower potential for discoloring your grin.

2. Wines

This beverage has both chormogens and tannins in very high levels. On top of that, whine is very acidic, so even a white wine can affect the enamel of your teeth, softening it and making it susceptible to other foods and drinks with staining capabilities.

3. Soft drinks

These beverages are very acidic, so even light-colored sodas and sports drinks can set your teeth up for future discoloration. Even diet sodas can stain the teeth if they are dark in color. Furthermore, cold or very hot temperatures can cause the teeth to contract and become more porous, so cold soda and hot coffee are even more likely to contribute to tooth stains. Stains aren’t the only negative side effect of drinking soda: the acids in these beverages can also wear away at enamel and the sugars in them can lead to tooth decay. If you love soda, try shifting to a lighter colored or clear soda, and always sip sodas through a straw to minimize the beverage’s contact with your teeth.

4. Brightly colored foods

Tomato sauce, soy sauce, and others can have very strong pigmentation. Combine that with some acidic qualities and some of your favorite sauces may impact your teeth. Curry is yellow, so it makes sense that it can stain your teeth yellow, too.

What can I do to fight back against stains?

1. Keep your teeth clean by brushing them twice a day and using floss.

2. Drink plenty of water and if at all u want to drink beverages then use straw.

3. Visit your dentist regularly.