Having a great smile is a confidence booster. Clean, white teeth often equal a great smile, while green and stained teeth clearly do not. If you are struggling with teeth stains, here are some things to know and to do.
What Causes Green Tooth And Other Tooth Discolouration?
Types of Teeth Stains
Believe it or not, people really can suffer from teeth discolouration – even battling green stains on teeth. Health issues and lifestyle choices can cause stains.
Extrinsic Stains
These are the stains appearing on the surface of your teeth. They are the result of what goes into your mouth.
- Red wine, black and green tea, or dark-coloured foods
- Prescription mouthrinses used to treat gum problems can leave a dark residue on teeth
- Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco.
Your oral hygiene habits will have a big impact on the severity of staining. It’s important to brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily, after meals if possible. Keep up with regular professional dental hygiene appointments. If you want even whiter teeth, talk to your dental professional about teeth whitening treatments.
Intrinsic Stains
This type of discolouration comes from the inside of your tooth. These are some of the things that may cause intrinsic stains.
- Antibiotics, such as tetracycline and liquid amoxicillin
- Trauma to the tooth
- Fluorosis, which is caused by ingesting too much fluoride during a child’s teeth-forming years
- Dead tooth happens when a tooth becomes injured and can’t repair itself
- According to Cleveland Clinic in the United States, ageing can affect the colour of your teeth
- The Cleveland Clinic also notes that radiation and chemotherapy can cause discoloured teeth.
Intrinsic types of stains are often grayish. Neither good oral hygiene nor professional polishing will remove intrinsic stains.
Green Tooth
Green tooth is a less common type of intrinsic stain that affects infants. Babies who have jaundice may develop green pigmentation on their baby teeth. The baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth that are not green.
Teeth and gums that appear green in adults can be caused by a build-up of stains, germs, and fungi. This is extrinsic (on the surface) and caused by poor oral care. Improving your daily routine and having professional teeth cleanings can remove these types of green stains.
If you want a great smile, make sure your teeth are as white as they can be. Stains and green teeth are often caused by lifestyle choices and can be due to health issues or medications. Knowing what is causing your enamel discolouration is half the battle. To clean up your smile, improve your oral health regimen and talk with your dental professional.
