What Causes Brown Stains on Teeth?
There are a few potential causes for brown stains on your teeth:
Food and Drink
Certain foods and drinks can cause brown stains over time:
– Coffee, tea, and cola – These contain dark pigments that can stick to your teeth.
– Tomatoes, soy sauce, and curry – The pigments in these foods can also stain teeth.
– Red wine and berries – These are very acidic and can erode enamel, allowing stains to set in.
– Candy and syrup – Sticky sweets allow stains to adhere to teeth.
Tobacco Use
Tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco contain chemicals that can cause stubborn brown stains:
– Nicotine and tar – These chemicals can stick to teeth and cause intrinsic stains that penetrate the enamel.
– Smokeless tobacco – This also contains nicotine and can stick to teeth. The abrasives in it also wear down enamel.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Lack of proper oral care allows stains to build up over time:
– Not brushing and flossing thoroughly – This allows plaque (bacteria) to accumulate, which can then calcify into tartar and cause extrinsic surface stains.
– Not getting regular dental cleanings – Professional cleanings are needed to remove tartar and surface stains.
– Dry mouth – Lack of saliva allows more plaque and stains to accumulate. Some medications can cause dry mouth.
Medications
Certain prescription drugs can cause brown stains as a side effect:
– Antibiotics like tetracycline – These can incorporate into developing teeth and cause intrinsic brown or gray stains.
– Antihistamines – Benadryl and similar medications can cause surface stains.
– High blood pressure medications – Some contain trace amounts of metals that cause surface stains.
Trauma
Injury to the teeth can allow stains to penetrate enamel:
– Cracks and chips from injury – These expose the inner dentin layer which is more porous.
– Wear from grinding or abrasion – This also thins the protective enamel layer.
Fluorosis
Fluorosis is an intrinsic staining of developing teeth:
– Caused by excess fluoride intake as a child while permanent teeth are still forming under the gums.
– Leads to white specks, yellowish, or brown mottling.
Aging
As you age, enamel naturally thins and stains can penetrate more easily:
– Enamel becomes less mineralized.
– The inner dentin layer shows through more noticeably.
– Gums can recede, exposing more of the tooth surface.
How to Remove Brown Stains from Teeth
Here are some effective ways to get rid of brown stains on your teeth:
Professional Teeth Whitening
– In-office bleaching – Whitening gel is applied and activated by light or laser. Very effective but expensive.
| In-Office Whitening | Pros | Cons |
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| In-office bleaching by dentist |
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– Take-home whitening trays – Custom trays are worn with whitening gel for a few hours per day. More affordable option.
| Take-Home Whitening Trays | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Custom trays from dentist |
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Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
– Whitening strips – Apply strips to teeth for 30 minutes 1-2x per day. Affordable but less effective than trays.
– Whitening pens – Apply concentrated gel with an applicator pen. Works well for spot treatment.
– Whitening toothpaste – These contain mild abrasives and whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide. Helps lighten surface stains with regular use.
Other Professional Cleanings
– Dental Prophylaxis – Routine teeth cleaning by a hygienist. Helps remove some surface stains. Should be done every 6 months.
– Air polishing – Pressurized air combined with abrasive particles. More effective than regular prophylaxis for stain removal.
– Ultrasonic scaling – Vibrating scaler tip helps dislodge stubborn stains and tartar.
– Laser therapy – Laser energy can disrupt stains and enhance teeth whitening results.
| Professional Cleaning Options | Pros | Cons |
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| Dental prophylaxis |
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| Air polishing |
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| Ultrasonic scaling |
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At-Home Methods
– Brushing with whitening toothpaste
– Flossing to remove plaque between teeth
– Oil pulling with coconut oil to help lift stains
– Baking soda and lemon juice – Can be gently scrubbed onto teeth
– Apple cider vinegar rinse – Helps remove stains and whiten
– Strawberries – Apply mashed berries and leave on teeth 2 minutes before rinsing
– Hydrogen peroxide rinse – Helps oxidize stains. Use once per week diluted with water.
– Electric toothbrushes – Spinning heads help disrupt surface stains.
Tips for Preventing Future Stains
Here are some tips to help prevent new brown stains on your teeth:
Brush and Floss Well
– Brush teeth twice per day for 2 minutes each time.
– Use proper brushing technique to clean all surfaces.
– Floss between teeth daily to remove plaque.
– See your dentist for cleanings every 6 months.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
– Limit staining foods like coffee, tea, and red wine.
– Drink dark liquids through a straw to bypass teeth.
– Rinse mouth with water after consuming staining foods and drinks.
– Avoid sugary sweets and acidic drinks which erode enamel.
Quit Smoking
– Smoking causes severe brown staining. Quitting can drastically improve staining.
– Chemicals in cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco can penetrate deep into enamel.
Use Sealants
– Dental sealants create a protective shield over teeth.
– Helps block stains from penetrating pits and grooves on chewing surfaces.
– Typically placed on molars, which have the deepest crevices.
Get Preventive Dental Treatments
– Fluoride treatments strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
– Dental bonding can repair chips and cracks vulnerable to stains.
– Regular dental exams help detect problems like cavities early before they worsen.
When to See Your Dentist
Schedule an appointment with your dentist if:
– Brown stains are severe or worsening despite efforts to remove them.
– Stains are accompanied by sensitivity or pain. Could indicate cavities or tooth decay.
– You have any chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth.
– It has been longer than 6 months since your last dental cleaning.
– You notice changes in your oral health.
The dentist can:
– Determine the source of brown stains.
– Provide professional whitening treatments.
– Address any underlying conditions contributing to stains.
– Repair cracks, chips, and decay.
– Assess your oral hygiene and give tips for better home care.
Ignoring brown stains can allow them to worsen over time and lead to bigger cosmetic or dental problems. But communicating with your dentist helps ensure healthy, white teeth for life.
Conclusion
Brown stains on your teeth can originate from foods, tobacco, poor hygiene, medications, trauma, and other sources. While some over-the-counter remedies may help, visiting your dentist for an exam and professional whitening treatments is most effective for removing stubborn stains and preventing new ones. With proper oral care habits and avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks, you can keep your teeth looking their brightest.