Frequent indulgences at the coffee shop can hurt more than your wallet. Coffee and tea are two examples of the many foods and beverages that can cause what we know as extrinsic dental staining. When pigment deposits are found on the tooth surface, this is known as extrinsic staining. Some causes of extrinsic staining include:
Poor oral hygiene
Accumulations of plaque, calculus and food particles on teeth can cause brown or black stains so maintaining excellent oral hygiene is extremely important for your appearance as well as your oral and general health.
Problems with salivary production
When there isn’t enough saliva produced to wash away plaque and food, stain can set in more easily. Tiny pits, fissures and defects in tooth enamel These allow staining agents like food and tobacco to become trapped and then quickly discolour teeth.
Certain foods and beverages
Drinking or eating too much of these can discolour your teeth:
- red wine, tea and other tannincontaining beverages
- coffee (especially when taken black)
- colas
- cranberry and red grape juices
- soy sauce (sorry, sushi-lovers!)
- balsamic vinegar
- beets and blueberries
- curry
- peanut butter
If you are going to drink tea… note that some varieties are better than others when it comes to causing stains on teeth. Avoid darker teas like Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Lighter green, herbal and white teas are far more tooth-friendly.
Tobacco
Cigars, cigarettes, pipes and chewing tobacco can and often do cause a brownishblack stain on teeth.
Metallic compounds
Silver fillings and other dental amalgams have been known to cause dental discolourations.
Treatment of Extrinsic Stains
Often, a change of behavior or diet is all that is needed to prevent or even reverse tooth staining. Quit smoking; cut down on your coffee consumption; switch to a lighter coloured tea. If you are going to indulge in stain-causing foods and beverages, brush or at very least, rinse immediately. Eat lots of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables which enhance the production of saliva that in turn helps keep teeth stain-free. Drink lots of water which will wash away stain-causing agents and remove harmful bacteria. Maintain excellent oral hygiene habits and visit your dental office regularly for cleanings, checkups and necessary dental work. For the treatment of more stubborn extrinsic stains, talk to your dentist. Bleaching could be a viable solution. Remember though… it is critical to stay away from stain-causing foods and beverages for at least 24 hours after a bleaching treatment as after bleaching, teeth are more susceptible to stain as they become a little more porous. Furthermore, I will not provide bleaching to active smokers. The ongoing smoking will not only defeat the effects of the whitening, but some studies suggest that the peroxide in tooth bleaching products may put smokers at an even higher risk for oral cancer.
Steven Deskin is a Dentist in general practice.
Watch for my next article on Intrinsic Dental Staining…
