When our teeth are not the normal whitish or yellowish whitish color, they are said to be discolored. Tooth discoloration could be due to various causes – trauma, illness, food and drinks we consume, smoking, hereditary causes, certain medications, poor oral hygiene and more. Brown spots on the teeth occur when teeth get stained and they can be extremely embarrassing. Apart from aesthetic reasons, it is important to get rid of brown spots and other stains for they could impact your health in many other ways.
The main cause of brown spots is smoking. Nicotine found in cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other tobacco products create brown spots on teeth. Other causes could be medicines like tetracycline and consuming dark foods and beverages. poor dental hygiene – especially in children, an injury that causes trauma to teeth or gum tissues and certain medical conditions can also result in brown spots.
Professional Remedies for Brown Spots on Teeth
Brown stains can be removed using professional and at-home teeth whitening systems. Usually brown spots respond well to routine dental cleaning. In-office whitening is the best way to remove brown spots and other teeth stains. In this method, a whitening gel is applied on the teeth and a laser or LED light is passed over it. This special light activates the whitening gel and quickly removes brown spots. A 30-60 minute session can offer very dramatic results, lightening teeth by 3-4 shades. While this is much more expensive than home remedies, it is also very effective. Also a dentist can assess the extent of discoloration and if the patient suffers from any other gum or teeth disease and treat them accordingly. He or she will also be able to assess the right concentration of peroxide gel to use and the best home-based whitening system to use.
Bonding is a good method to use when you have brown spots. This method uses a composite resin on existing teeth and can cover stains and give you a natural smile. These require frequent cleaning – at least 4 times a year – since they can stain easily.
Porcelain veneers are newer techniques to hide stains. This is similar to bonding but uses porcelain laminated veneers on teeth that is more durable and does not stain very easily. It is more expensive when compared to bonding.
Some Home Remedies for Brown Spots
Since smoking is the main cause for brown spots, you can try to quit. A person who quits smoking will not only find an improvement in the appearance of their teeth but also reduce their risk of gum disease, throat, mouth, tongue or lip cancer.
There are many at-home teeth whitening systems that can be used like strips, gels, whitening toothpastes, rinses and floss to prevent brown stains and to maintain healthy teeth and gums after a professional cleaning at the dentist. Usually a whitening gel is used in these home whitening systems that will be made of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Some of these are:
- Tray-based whitening systems maybe given by the dentist or purchased over-the-counter to be used at home. These come with a mouth guard in which a whitening gel is poured. This can be worn for a couple of hours daily for two or more weeks and can remove brown spots. The duration it needs to be worn depends on the strength of the bleaching agent.
- Whitening toothpastes are simple ways to maintain professionally cleaned teeth or to remove surface stains. These contain polishing agents and mild abrasives that can remove brown and yellow spots.
- Whitening gels and strips are convenient ways to remove teeth stains. Whitening strips are invisible strips that contain the whitening gel. This simply needs to be place on the teeth for a few minutes and removed. Whitening gels can be applied on teeth using a small brush. The duration these need to be used will be mentioned on the labels.
- Whitening rinses can be used after meals. They can reduce gum disease, teeth stains and dental plaque.
To remove stains from teeth, you can also try some of these simple home remedies. Apply a mixture of two teaspoons each of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide on teeth or brush with this paste. However, this can remain on the teeth for only 2 minutes and must not be swallowed. Few drops of juice from a lemon combined with a pinch of baking soda can also remove brown spots. A peel of orange rubbed on teeth is also a natural remedy that can lighten teeth without any side effects. However, these are only mildly effective.
Ways to Prevent Brown Spots on Teeth
Always remember to brush teeth twice a day and floss once a day at night. Brushing 3 times is even better – usually after each main meal. In between you can gargle and drink plenty of water when you snack. Using a straw when drinking dark colored beverages like colas and reducing consumption of coffee, tea or wine, can also help prevent brown spots. Reduce on consumption of dark foods like sauces and berries. ,
Consult a dentist before using any home whitening system. He or she is the best person to advise you about the best system to use to remove brown spots from your teeth.