My teeth have become discoloured, is there something wrong with them?

There are some systemic illnesses that can cause your teeth to become discoloured, but most people who notice dental staining are far more likely to find a common cause, such as continuous smoking, or bad oral hygiene. Although the underlying causes certainly need to be determined, don’t worry yourself too much about discolouration, the chances are it’s just a symptom of aging, or a sign you need to alter your lifestyle; it’s not generally a major cause for concern. If you are worried that the staining is a sign of ill health, you can speak to your GP, or book a consultation with the dentists at the Pearl Dental Clinic, they will be able to help you identify the root of the problem and suggest some ways in which you can effectively deal with it.

So, there’s nothing I can do about my teeth becoming discoloured?

Everyone will notice their teeth darkening to some degree as they get older, it’s just a fact of life unfortunately, and no amount of scrubbing or cleaning will change that, but you could benefit from a tooth whitening treatment. The great thing about bleaching procedures is that they can deal with all kinds of stains, whether they are the result of bad lifestyle choices or just the passage of time, each stain is treated in the same way, and the process boasts a very high success rate.

Do discoloured teeth really need treating?

In some cases, tooth discolouration is a symptom of more serious problems that can escalate without sufficient treatment, so you shouldn’t assume that obvious discolouration poses no threat to the health of your mouth, and body in general. Not only do stained teeth look unpleasant, they can have further reaching implications;

Tooth decay – Dental caries – better known as cavities – are not a symptom of discoloured teeth, but they are a common side effect. Your teeth don’t have to be severely stained for bacteria to breed in hard to clean areas, and most dentists would suggest a thorough examination before booking whitening treatment – it’s no good bleaching a tooth that is going to succumb to decay. When acid and bacterial waste is left to eat away at the enamel, cavities develop, leaving an open route to the pulp chamber, where the nerve endings and blood vessels of the teeth are housed. Thousands of people in the UK have undergone filling procedures to prevent infection from spreading down the root of the teeth and into their circulatory system; it’s a fairly common operation, but it can save lives, by stopping the problem from deteriorating to a life-threatening degree.

Gum disease – Enamel discolouration that develops if you don’t adequately clean your teeth can be a pre-cursor to gum disease, particularly if you allow heavy layers of food debris and bacteria to build up over time. A lot of people who have gum disease aren’t aware of the serious health implications that can affect them if they don’t act accordingly, and they may disregard the problem if it doesn’t cause them immediate pain, however, the first stages of gum disease – also known as Periodontitis – are not painful, the real issues start when the disease has reached more difficult levels. Gum disease can be seriously obstructive to successful treatment; if your dentist finds that you have any harmful bacteria in your system, they won’t be able to carry out any procedures until the problem has been sufficiently dealt with. Furthermore, in its later stages, periodontitis can cause the gums to pull away from the supporting bone, which can lead to significant tooth loss once the structural integrity is lost.

Dental abscesses – These painful swellings are another common result of bad oral hygiene, although they are not necessarily associated with minor enamel discolouration. Abscesses develop as the body attempts to flush the infectious bacteria out of your system, and they can occur inside the tooth or on the gum line around the affected area. Large abscesses need immediate medical treatment, especially if they are accompanied by more worrying symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, and a high fever, as they are a sign of deep set infection, which poses a very serious danger to your health. A lot of patients in the UK are unaware of the problems that abscesses represent, and may still neglect to take proper care of their teeth, but there’s no need to suffer in silence; swellings like this are not normal and shouldn’t be treated as such.

What can I do to avoid discolouring my teeth?

As mentioned above, there’s no natural way to keep your teeth a brilliant white for the rest of your life, but there are several helpful products on the market, as well as clinical treatments that can help you maintain a healthy smile. It’s easy to give in to the idea that our teeth are unbreakable, and although they are made from the hardest bone in the human body, that doesn’t mean we can eat and drink what we please, without seeing the results when we look in the mirror. Red wine, coffee, and cola, are the main food culprits when it comes to discoloured teeth, so avoiding these things is a good place to start – or at least enjoying them in moderation. Smoking is well-known for its detrimental effect on the health of millions of people all over the world, so throwing away your cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco is another positive step on your way to a brighter smile. Those of us who have grown up with a good example of dental cleanliness to follow might take oral hygiene for granted, but there are some people who neglect their teeth, which can only lead to staining and decay. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, replace your toothbrush every few months, and lastly, maintain a good relationship with your dentist, you might need some treatment one day, so it’s a good idea to stay up-to-date with your check-ups.