The Top 10 Factors That Lead to Stained Teeth
Are you curious about how you may assist retain the whiteness of your teeth for a longer period of time? It is crucial to know the risk factors that can make your teeth appear darker over time before you make plans to whiten your smile. This will help ensure that the whitening process is successful. Here is a list of the top ten reasons why Dr. Cohan, our cosmetic dentist in Summerlin, treats patients with stained teeth in his office.
- Coffee, tea, merlot, and soda are the drinks available.
The frequent consumption of dark drinks can result in noticeable discoloration of the teeth. Things like drinking coffee and tea on a daily basis are likely to leave a continuous stain on surfaces over the course of several weeks, months, and even years. Even moderate consumption of dark beverages like wine and soda, including diet varieties, can leave teeth discolored over time. If you have the option of drinking them through a straw, doing so may be of assistance.
- Products Relating to Smoking and Tobacco Use
The use of tobacco products such as smokeless “dip” tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes can result in substantial tooth staining that penetrates the innermost layers of tooth enamel and create significant discoloration. This discoloration can occur on the inside as well as the outside of the tooth, but it is notoriously difficult to eliminate, even with thorough dental hygiene.
- Various Supplements, Including Vitamins and Minerals
Some people, particularly children, find that the oral supplements such as vitamins and minerals they take on a daily basis discolor their teeth. This is especially true for them. Although chewable tablets are among the most prevalent culprits, not all children are affected in the same way by them. In most cases, a process known as “trial and error” is required in order to establish whether or not a child will get tooth stains. The good news is that the majority of these stains may be removed from the teeth by using a dental polish.
In addition to this, white and brown stains on teeth can be caused by drinking water containing abnormally high or low levels of minerals than what is normally found in the water supply. If you want the best possible outcomes, drink water from your local municipal tap, or if you have a child, talk to your physician about the mineral content of the water. Because the mineral and fluoride levels in bottled waters are not routinely monitored or regulated, consuming them may not always be a safe alternative.
- Medications
When taken during critical phases of a child’s development, several classes of prescription drugs have been linked to discoloration of the teeth as a potential side effect. Because of the potential for adverse effects, the majority of medical professionals today refrain from giving prescriptions for certain drugs to pregnant women or to young children. One example of this is the antibiotic tetracycline. There are many others.
- Swimming in a Pool That Is Treated With Chlorine
A dental discoloration may result for those individuals who engage in competitive swimming or other water-based sports in a swimming pool that is chlorinated. Some people are more likely to get this stain than others, but it can affect anyone. Especially so if they swim at least a few times each week over the course of a few months.
- Foods that are dark in color, such as berries, tomato sauces, and curry, etc.
Your teeth are susceptible to discoloration from the same kinds of discoloration that dark meals cause to white clothing. Some of the most obvious examples of this include sauces made with tomatoes, curries, and dark berries like blueberries and blackberries. If you consume them on a regular basis throughout the course of the week, there is a bigger possibility that they will leave dark stains on your teeth.
- Continuity Loss Around Outdated Dental Work
It is natural for older restorations such as crowns or fillings to begin to age and develop a thin margin surrounding them. This margin allows stains or bacteria to leak into the tooth as the repair deteriorates. Sometimes it is merely a question of aesthetics, but other times it indicates that the filling or crown has to be replaced as soon as possible.
- The factors of Age and Environment
While it’s not necessarily true that becoming older will cause your teeth to “turn yellow,” as the saying goes, it is natural for our porous enamel to progressively absorb everything from our diet and surroundings as the years pass. This is something that happens naturally. Because we may now preserve our teeth for longer than ever before, it is typical for our smiles to become slightly darker as we get older.
- Ailments and Severe Accidental Injuries
Your tooth is especially vulnerable to damage and illness during the developmental stages when it is growing. When a child strikes their top front teeth while those teeth are still forming, there is a potential that the tooth could erupt with some type of noticeable staining or discoloration in the enamel. This can happen if the child continues to hit their teeth while those teeth are developing.
These kinds of discolorations might be difficult to anticipate and may not become apparent until several months or even years after the incident that caused them.
- Demineralization
If plaque is allowed to build up on teeth for an extended period of time, the tooth’s natural color may shift as a result. Because of the demineralization process, the enamel will begin to take on a powdery white appearance far in advance of the formation of a cavity. Immediately prior to the formation of a cavity in the tooth, a brown or black color may become apparent (but not always.)
Efforts to Remove Stained Teeth | Summerlin
Polishing, teeth whitening, and removal of ICON white spots are just some of the stain removal procedures that are available via Summerlin Dental Solutions. Dr. Cohan is considered to be one of the most famous cosmetic dentists in Summerlin. He provides our patients with a wide array of smile enhancement options.
If you have tooth stain and want to improve the appearance of your smile, the first step is to have your teeth cleaned and examined by a specialist. After that, we will be able to determine whether or not teeth whitening or some other aesthetic therapy will be able to provide you with the desired results.
To arrange an appointment for a checkup at our Summerlin location, please call us now.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR BEST DENTIST IN SUMMERLIN
Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
10 Factors That Lead to Stained Teeth
Q1: Why are my teeth turning yellow even though I brush every day?
Daily brushing removes surface plaque but cannot prevent all staining. Enamel naturally thins with age, revealing the yellowish dentin beneath. Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine also penetrate enamel over time. Professional whitening at Summerlin Dental Solutions removes deep stains that brushing cannot reach.
Q2: Which drinks stain teeth the most?
Coffee, red wine, tea, and dark sodas are the worst offenders because they contain chromogens and tannins that bind to enamel. If a drink would stain a white shirt, it will stain your teeth. Rinsing with water after drinking and using a straw can help minimize contact with your teeth.
Q3: Can certain medications cause tooth discoloration?
Yes. Tetracycline antibiotics taken during childhood can cause permanent gray-brown banding. Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and some antipsychotics can also darken teeth. If you suspect medication-related staining, Dr. Cohan can evaluate the cause and recommend appropriate cosmetic solutions.
Q4: Does smoking really make your teeth darker?
Absolutely. Tar and nicotine in tobacco create deep brown and yellow stains that worsen over time and are extremely difficult to remove with brushing alone. Patients who quit smoking and then receive professional whitening at our Las Vegas office see dramatic improvement.
Q5: Are teeth stains reversible?
Most extrinsic stains (from food, drinks, and tobacco on the enamel surface) can be significantly improved or eliminated with professional whitening. Intrinsic stains (inside the tooth from medications or trauma) may require veneers or bonding. Dr. Cohan assesses the stain type before recommending treatment.
Q6: What is the fastest way to whiten stained teeth?
Professional in-office whitening at Summerlin Dental Solutions provides the fastest results, typically lightening teeth by several shades in about one hour. Take-home custom trays offer a more gradual alternative over 1 to 2 weeks.
Q7: Do whitening toothpastes actually work on stained teeth?
Whitening toothpastes can remove mild surface stains but cannot change the actual color of your teeth. They contain mild abrasives and low concentrations of peroxide that work slowly on superficial discoloration. For meaningful results, professional treatment is significantly more effective.
Q8: At what age do teeth start looking more yellow?
Most people notice gradual yellowing beginning in their 30s as enamel thins naturally with age. By the 50s and 60s, the change is often quite noticeable. Professional whitening can reverse decades of age-related yellowing in a single visit at our Summerlin office.
Q9: Can I prevent my teeth from staining in the first place?
You can minimize staining by rinsing with water after coffee or wine, using a straw for dark beverages, avoiding tobacco, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, and scheduling professional cleanings every six months at Summerlin Dental Solutions. No method prevents all staining, but these habits make a real difference.
Q10: How much does professional teeth whitening cost in Las Vegas?
Professional whitening at Summerlin Dental Solutions typically ranges from $300 to $600 depending on the method. In-office treatment provides immediate results in one visit. Take-home custom trays are a lower-cost option. We offer 0% interest financing through HFD.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
