Brown spots on teeth can be a great cause of social and emotional insecurity to any person having them. Not only do they make us look bad but might be an indication of some underlying medical conditions too. So, if you have got some brown spots on your teeth or even brown stains on the teeth near gums, fret not because, in this article, we got you covered on how to get rid of brown spots on your teeth and gums. Let’s start!
What Causes Brown spots on teeth?
It is important to first understand the cause behind brown spots on teeth in order to get rid of them effectively. The brown stains on the teeth may not always be totally brown but may range from yellowish-brown to brownish-black or even brownish lines. Given below are some of the commonest causes of brown spots on teeth:
- Smoking and using other tobacco products: This can give you brown stains on teeth which are popularly known as “smokers’ teeth”. Also seen are brown spots on teeth near gums. These increase and become more difficult to remove with time.
- Consuming certain food or drinks: Chromogens present in some food items or drinks can stick to your teeth and give you brown spots on teeth.
- Plaque or tartar: A proper dental hygiene helps you to keep your teeth free from plaque or that sticky film of bacteria and food on teeth. But a lack of cleanliness can lead to the formation of tartar over time. Tartar normally can be seen on the lining of the gums and can only be removed by a dentist.
- Fluorosis
- Ageing
- Genetic factors
- Some medications like tetracycline, glibenclamide and others lead to brown stains on teeth.
- Enamel hypoplasia
- Celiac disease
- Root canal, trauma or previous dental procedures
How to Get Rid of Brown Spots on Teeth?
Stained teeth are no longer a problem with the various technological advancements over time. There are numerous ways to get rid of the brown spots on teeth and whiten teeth. These can be widely grouped into professional treatments and home remedies.
Professional treatments
1. Dental Prophylaxis Treatment: This works two ways- it not only cleans the already formed brown spots on teeth but also prevents any further staining or damage to the teeth.
It is completed in two steps namely scaling and polishing. Scaling is done with the help of an ultrasonic scaler to remove the plaque and then by a manual scaler to clean up in between the teeth. For polishing, a paste is applied to the teeth after scaling.
2. Power bleaching: This is by far the best way to whiten teeth. In this method, the first bleaching is done by a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and bleaching gels. For further whitening, LED light is passed over the teeth coated with a whitening gel.
3. Porcelain veneers or composite bonding: These are basically used to cover the damaged and brown teeth and give you natural glistening white teeth. These require strict maintenance every few years.
Home Remedies on How to Whiten Your Teeth
- Brush your teeth with baking soda mixed with water.
- Use whitening toothpaste. This is particularly helpful if you have smokers’ teeth.
- Use a solution of hydrogen peroxide to rinse your mouth every few days.
- Try Tray-based teeth whitening. This is available over the counter and can be used for single as well as multiple teeth. Hydrogen peroxide filled trays are just fitted over the teeth in question and left for as long as directed. These, however, require strict maintenance and following certain food restrictions.
- Go for Teeth Whitening Strips. As the name suggests, these are just strips coated with hydrogen peroxide on one particular side and are to be applied to the teeth for half an hour or as directed. These are relatively easier to use than whitening trays.
- Teeth whitening pens are really worth a try. In this method, hydrogen peroxide is applied on the teeth in question with the help of the teeth whitening pen and left for a certain duration of time as directed. The only disadvantage is that these are comparatively less effective and expensive.
Final Words
Brown spots on teeth are after all caused mainly due to poor hygiene and so maintaining good oral hygiene is absolutely essential to prevent them.
And if by any chance you have stained teeth, I hope you found this article helpful and now you are properly informed about how to get rid of the brown stains and how to whiten teeth effectively at home or in the clinic.
That’s all for now. So, stay healthy and I will see you with a new article very soon.