Beautiful teeth are desirable in our society, they radiate health and vitality. Brown stains on the teeth, on the other hand, as tooth discoloration, stand for unkemptness and carelessness. A radiant smile with beautiful teeth can be maintained if a few things are observed.
What are brown stains on teeth?
Brown stains on teeth cannot be removed with simple dental hygiene measures, even when using very special toothpastes that are supposed to have a stronger cleaning effect. Brown stains on the teeth are dark discolorations that stand out clearly from the natural white of the teeth. Affected people are often very disturbed by the discolored teeth, especially if they are in the directly visible area of the mouth, such as on the incisors. The brown stains cannot be removed by simple dental hygiene measures, not even by using very special toothpastes, which are supposed to have a stronger cleaning effect. These discolorations can sometimes be felt with the tongue, they feel rough and thus cause an unpleasant sensation in the mouth. Not all brown stains on teeth have a cause that requires treatment. A dentist can decide here, after diagnosis, whether and what measures should be taken.
Causes
The discoloration caused by brown spots on the teeth can have various causes, either there is a dental disease or poor oral hygiene. Very often, certain stimulants are the cause of the unsightly discoloration. Nicotine, coffee, tea and red wine are among the most common causes. Foods containing these substances deposit stubborn plaque on the teeth, which can only be removed with extreme care. In most cases, complete removal is not possible, so that discolorations form on the teeth over time. Taking certain medications (e.g. iron supplements) can also be responsible for brown stains on the teeth. A more unfavorable cause is brown stains caused by caries. Due to insufficient oral hygiene, plaque is not completely removed and caries develops. Affected areas on the tooth are then recognizable as brown spots in the advanced stage. Unlike discoloration caused by the above-mentioned stimulants, brown spots on the teeth caused by caries are not only superficial and require further dental treatment in any case.
Diseases with this symptom
- Tooth root inflammation
- Dental caries
- Tooth fracture
Diagnosis and course
Patients whose teeth show brown stains should have an examination by a dentist to determine the cause of the discoloration. The dentist can determine quite easily through examination whether the discoloration is caused by certain foods or is due to carious disease. During a thorough examination of the oral cavity, the nature of the brown stains is also examined more closely. If the spots are softer, this indicates that the tooth is affected by caries. Caries is treated by removing the carious substance and then filling the missing tooth material with plastic. If the examination by the dentist reveals superficial discoloration caused by certain foods or stimulants, treatment should also be carried out to prevent secondary diseases. With the use of various special instruments, the brown spots on the teeth can be removed almost completely.
Complications
Brown spots on the teeth are perceived by most people mainly as a cosmetic problem. In most cases, these are not individual, clearly defined stains, but discoloration. It is well known that this is caused by coffee, cigarettes and other influences from the diet – that is why most of those affected do not pay any further attention to it, but merely treat it. However, brown spots on the teeth can also indicate that the enamel is weakening and needs support to stabilize again. A visit to the dentist at the time when brown spots on the teeth are not yet far advanced is still quick and mostly painless.However, since the dentist is not exactly one of the most popular specialists, most patients prefer to live with brown spots on their teeth and risk overlooking diseases such as caries at an early stage, when they would be even easier and more pleasant to treat. It can also be dangerous if attempts are made to whiten the teeth themselves. If caries is already present, this only endangers the damaged tooth structure more than is absolutely necessary. If the teeth have brown stains and discoloration merely due to dietary habits, it would be better and healthier to have them bleached by the dentist, as these expert procedures are far less damaging to the tooth structure.
When should you go to the doctor?
Brown stains on the teeth can have numerous causes. Often, it is simply a cosmetic problem. However, brown spots on teeth can also be tooth decay. In addition, iron supplements taken occasionally lead to brown tooth stains. In any case, a dentist should be consulted about the appearance of brown stains on teeth. Brown discoloration of the teeth is often caused by certain beverages and stimulants such as black tea, coffee, red wine and nicotine. Those affected rarely notice the discoloration of their teeth in the early stages, but only when it is clearly visible. By then, however, they are usually difficult or impossible to remove on their own. It is not advisable to use commercially available special toothpastes and other products for removing discolored teeth, as they will not bring the desired success and can also damage the teeth. A dentist, on the other hand, can provide a remedy and also protect the teeth from new discoloration with an applied fluoride varnish. Patients can have extremely discolored teeth veneered by their dentist with so-called veneers. The dentist also reliably recognizes brown spots on the teeth whether they are comparatively harmless discolorations or nevertheless caries, which he immediately treats dentally in the same session.
Treatment and therapy
After the doctor has found a cause for the brown spots on the teeth through the examination, the necessary treatment can be initiated directly. If the diagnosis is caries, it must be removed and the missing tooth substance must be filled. For this purpose, the dentist usually administers a local anesthetic so that the patient can undergo the treatment without pain. As soon as the anesthesia takes effect, the areas of the tooth affected by caries are removed with a special drill. Careful work is absolutely necessary here so that even the smallest carious areas are not left behind. The affected area is then thoroughly cleaned before the tooth is filled with plastic and closed. If the cause of the brown spots is discoloration, various devices and instruments can be used for removal. Ultrasound and manual tools are used to remove the fixed plaque, and the teeth are then smoothed and made temporarily resistant to new deposits by using special polishing tools and pastes. A varnish consisting of fluoride can also be applied to provide additional protection to the teeth for several months.
Outlook and prognosis
Usually, brown stains on the teeth do not need to be treated if they do not bother the patient and do not cause pain when eating or drinking. They occur mainly due to tooth discoloration and are a common symptom that cannot be prevented with certain foods. In most cases, this symptom does not cause any further discomfort or complications. However, if there is pain or high sensitivity of the teeth, a dentist should be consulted. If the symptom is not treated, the brown spots on the teeth will remain and will not disappear. However, they can be prevented by avoiding alcohol, coffee and other staining foods. There is no direct treatment, but the doctor can clean the teeth and thus remove the brown stains from the teeth. The cleaning also proceeds without complications and leads to a positive course of the disease. However, the brown stains reappear even after the cleaning if the corresponding food is taken. Treatment with medication or by surgery is not performed.
Prevention
To prevent brown stains on the teeth, careful oral hygiene is essential. The foundation for dental health is laid in early childhood, so learning how to maintain optimal dental hygiene is very important. The daily cleaning and care program for the teeth should not only include toothbrush and toothpaste, the use of dental floss and mouth rinses also improve oral hygiene. Avoiding foods and stimulants that cause discoloration of the teeth.
Regular professional dental cleanings should also be on everyone’s schedule.
What you can do yourself
Brown stains on teeth can equally affect people who brush their teeth three times a day. However, all stains can be effectively removed with home remedies. Activated charcoal is particularly worth mentioning. It ensures that dirt and toxins are bound and removed. Those affected can use the charcoal either in the form of homemade toothpaste or as a mouthwash. Turmeric is also recommended. It is famous for counteracting brown stains on the teeth. It gently whitens the teeth from time to time. However, if sufferers from enamel damage, it is important to avoid turmeric as a toothpaste powder. Damaged teeth quickly become discolored as a result. Sodium bicarbonate is also helpful in liquidating brown stains on the teeth. It is advisable to brush the teeth with the powder two to three times a month. The ultra-fine sodium bicarbonate powder is recommended for this purpose. The commercial soda is coarse-grained and can cause irritation to the gums when used. The use of sage can also help. Not only is it extremely healthy, but it helps to subtly whiten teeth. It is recommended to chew one or two leaves regularly. The substances it contains strengthen the gums, clean the teeth and freshen breath.
