PATIENT INFORMATION:
Dental Stains
What are Dental Stains:
The discoloration of your teeth is from one of the following:
- Pigmented deposits found on the tooth surface from topical or external agents is called Extrinsic staining.
- Intrinsic staining are stains incorporated within the tooth structure.
Causes of Stains on Teeth:
| Extrinsic staining |
Intrinsic staining |
- Plaque
- Calculus
- Foods and beverages
- Tobacco
- Certain types of bacteria and topical medications
- Enamel defects
- Salivary dysfunction
- Poor oral hygiene
- Small grooves, pits or fissures in the tooth surface.
|
- Dental restorations (i.e. corroded amalgam fillings)
- Dental decay
- Trauma to a tooth
- Necrotic or infected nerve
- Infections
- Medications (i.e. Tetracycline)
- Genetic defects
- Hereditary diseases such as hypocalcification or fluorosis that affect dentin and enamel development
|
Treatment Options for Teeth Stains:
| Extrinsic staining |
Intrinsic staining |
| In-office |
In-office |
- Keep up on your regular visits to help keep stains to a minimum.
- Professional whitening – We offer in-office, at-home and over-the-counter options to meet your needs.
|
This type of stain requires permanent restoration. The type varies according to your specific needs. When in conjunction with in-office whitening, desired results MAY be achieved. This depends on the depth of the stain. |
| At-Home |
At-Home |
- Watch what you eat! Keep track of how much stain occurs from different foods/beverages and reduce consumption accordingly. Remember that anything that can stain a white shirt can stain your teeth!
- Rinse with water after consuming dark, sugary and acidic foods
- Don’t smoke!
- Consider getting a professional cleaning more often.
- Brush at least 2 times a day- especially after consumption of staining agent.
|
Extrinsic Staining only. |
