It is frustrating and even worrisome to have black stains on your teeth. These dark spots can affect your smile and self-esteem.
However, it’s important to know their causes and tips for removing them. Teeth staining occurring as black stains are difficult to remove but not impossible. They may be due to plaque formation, smoking, some medications, or dark-stained foods or beverages.
Here, you will find out all the possible ways and recommendations on how to pull off the teeth black stain right. So that you can always have a lovely and white smile. If you’re planning on seeking professional dental care or trying out some oral health treatments at home, this guide has got you covered.
What Are Black Lines on Teeth?
Black lines on teeth are thin and dark pigmented stains usually found at the gum line, and most commonly on the back teeth or in between. Such lines may develop for many reasons and may seem dangerous at first sight, but are often not related to serious dental problems.
Several factors cause black lines, among them is the buildup of plaque. Plaques that are formed on the tooth surface are deposits of bacteria which can solidify and become sticky and grow to form tartars. Which may appear black from accumulated stains from foods and drinks, tobacco and other substances. Other causes are bad oral hygiene, taking tea, or coffee and smoking will increase the formation of these dark lines.
Notably, some people get these black lines quickly on their teeth because of the content of saliva. Various minerals found in saliva can chemically react with bacteria forming deposits that do not easily come off through normal brushing. For these black stains, one usually needs professional black teeth treatment to remove them; by a dentist or a dental hygienist. You should check these lines early enough. Because they have the potential to attract more buildup and other large oral health problems.
Difference Between Black Stains/Lines and Cavities
Although blackish lines or spots on the teeth can appear like decay, it is important to distinguish between the two for the right remedy. Black stains or lines on teeth are stains resulting from deposits on the outer layer of the teeth. Some foods, drinks, cigarettes or the growth of tartar causes them. Such stains are not very deep and are usually harmless to the structure of the tooth pulp but might require extensive cleaning, scaling and polishing.
On the other hand, tooth decay causes cavities. It occurs when acid produced by bacteria destroys the outer coat of the tooth known as enamel. That is why cavities become worse; they form holes or pits on the surface of the tooth. The beginning signs of cavities are transparent white or brownish-black colour. It is different from the normal black colour of enamel stain. Yes, cavities do need professional treatment that may include fillings, crowning or even root canal treatment depending on the level of the cavity.
Here’s a clearer distinction:
- Black spots on teeth that are not cavities are usually external discolouration or staining. That can be removed with a thorough dental cleaning or whitening process.
- Cavities are holes and pits in the teeth that erode the enamel of the teeth and the dentin; dentists use filings-like treatments to set them.
You always, need to consult your dentist for better black teeth treatment. If identified early, invasive treatments will not be necessary to get rid of – you can just keep smiling!
Causes of Black Stains on Teeth
It is important to know what causes black spots on teeth that are not cavities to move forward to the right treatment. Here are some typical reasons you can have teeth black stains:
Poor Oral Hygiene:
The main reason for black stains on teeth is improper dental care. When the plaque, which is a soft, colourless film of bacteria, is deposited on the teeth and is not discarded by daily brushing and flossing, the plaque turns into tartar (calculus).
Tartar on and around the gum line can become black and leave an unappealing stain behind. This particular feature is crucial as you should remove the tartar through professional cleanings and stop the black stains before forming.
Consumption of Foods and Drinks that Stain:
Some foods and beverages can cause teeth black stains. Such food and drinks as coffee, tea, red wine, and cola, and dark-coloured such as berries and soy sauce leave behind deposits that bond with the tooth’s surface. These pigments may eventually coagulate and are hard to clean from the teeth if someone fails to have proper oral hygiene. Reducing these kinds of foods and drinks and taking a glass of water after their intake also prevents staining.
Smoking and Tobacco Use:
Smoking and other tobacco products cause black stains or black teeth. Tobacco contains nicotine which adheres to the teeth and gums. It gives long-lasting discolouration that may be yellowish-brown or black. These stains are not easily removable by brushing and usually one needs black teeth treatments.
Iron Supplements and Medications:
There are some drugs and supplementary foods which lead to the appearance of a black colour on teeth that is not cavities. For instance, iron salts; and their solutions, especially in liquid form, cause discoloration of teeth. Whenever you observe that you have black stains especially when you have begun using a new drug or supplement, you should seek advice from a doctor.
Chlorhexidine Mouthwash:
Using Chlorhexidine frequently as a mouthwash can cause teeth stains. It is effective in controlling bacteria and inflammation of gum but can darken the shade of teeth. If you use mouthwash and find that you come out with black stains, discuss with your dentist the option of changing it or even using it sparingly.
Ways of Removing Black Stains from Teeth
The efficacy of removing black stains from teeth is effective in enhancing your smile and self-esteem. Here are the best methods of removing teeth black stains and improving oral health.
Professional Dental Cleaning:
The best way to remove black stains on teeth is a dental cleaning like scaling and polishing. In this process, a dentist or dental hygienist will scrape off the tartar including the black stains that develop around the gum line.
It will also work to shine up the outside of the teeth allowing stains in the future to be less easily rooted. This is the first thing you have to go through in any black teeth treatment and it is important, that it be done from time to time to have a stain-free smile.
Teeth Whitening Treatments:
In case of stubborn teeth black stains, remedies for teeth whitening may be applied by professional dentists. Whitening either nonprofessional bleaching conducted by the dentist. The professional bleaching where the dentist gives the patient home kits, utilizes peroxide-based gel to cause degradation of stained molecules and therefore lighten the enamel. Teeth whitening treatments are more effective and faster than those that can be used at home yet at a longer time surface stains can be erased.
Technique of Dental Scaling and Root Planing:
If tartar causes black stains, that have formed at the gum line level, a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing might required. This treatment commonly used in managing gum diseases – aims at eliminating the plaque and tartar on the roots of teeth to cause black spots.
This procedure is also a useful and effective method of enhancing the general condition of gums. And concluding with the removal of black colour which is usually trapped between gums and teeth at the roots.
Avoid Foods and Beverages That Stain:
There is no substitute for prevention for cure. Among the foods and beverages to avoid to prevent the future development of black stains on teeth are coffee, tea, red wine, and berries with dark colours.
Another way of avoiding staining is to rinse the mouth with water after taking these products. Also, you should avoid making direct contact between the teeth and the offending beverages such as soda or iced coffee, a straw can help with this.
Quit Smoking:
Tobacco in one way or the other causes black stains on teeth through smoking. Smoking also has adverse impacts on your general health. Besides helping you to avoid worsening of the stains from nicotine and tar when you quit smoking.
For the black spot resulting from smoking, one will require professional black teeth treatment to remove the existing stains. However, this should not be a chance to form new stains as one stops smoking.
FAQs
What Causes Me to Have Black Colour in Teeth?
It could be product accumulations such as plaque, staining foods, and beverages, tobacco or smoking. These stains are also caused by tartar, plaque buildup, and regular medication such as iron pills.
Can I Get Permanent Black Stains on My Teeth?
Well, black stains are not permanent and you can remove them through dental treatment and proper dental hygiene. Nevertheless, if the case is severe from long-standing tartar deposits or smoking then requires a little extra professional dental care.
Which Nutrient Deficiency Leads to Black Stains in Teeth?
Black stains are not often the result of a deficiency; however, taking iron pills can sometimes cause black stains on your teeth.
Teeth scaling is a routine procedure intended to clean and polish the surface of your teeth with the goal of Read more