When refined sugar was an expensive product in Russia, dark tooth enamel was considered a sign of belonging to a high class. On the contrary, many are wondering how to become the owner of a snow-white smile.

What is getting dark in the tooth?

The tooth consists of pulp (soft connective tissue) and hard tissues such as cement, dentin and enamel. Pulp is essential for transporting nutrients and protecting the tooth from harmful bacteria. With a violation of the functionality and integrity of the connective tissue, an acute inflammatory process develops, which entails a darkening of the teeth.

Enamel consists mainly of calcium hydroxyapatite and is considered the hardest compound in the human body. However, the use of water with impurities and food dyes leads to darkening of the teeth, which is practically not amenable to regular brushing.

Causes of tooth blackening in children

The main reason for blackening teeth in children is poor nutrition. Due to the abundance of products with a high sugar content, a dense microbial film forms, causing damage and darkening of enamel and the development of early caries. A similar problem can be observed in children with recently erupted teeth due to vitamin deficiency, dysbacteriosis or pharmaceutical preparations that were used by the mother during lactation.

Interesting fact: In the tribes inhabiting the islands of Borneo, dark enamel is considered a sign of beauty. On special holidays, island residents cover their teeth with banana leaves and go with them for a day and a half to get a black shade.

Causes of blackening of teeth in an adult

The most common cause of darkening of teeth in adults is poor hygiene. In case of neglecting the basic rules of cleaning the oral cavity, plaque accumulates on the tooth enamel, consisting of various bacteria. If you do not clean the plaque in time, it turns from dirty gray and soft to hard, dense and dark, gradually transforming into tartar.

Caries

It arises due to excessive consumption of products containing sugar or due to the lack of regular hygiene. The carious process provokes demineralization of the tooth, softens the enamel and changes the optical density of the tissues.

Smoking

In smokers, tooth enamel first turns yellow, after which it becomes dark brown. Tobacco products contain resins with coloring pigment, which contribute to the formation of tartar.

Poor fillings

If a poor-quality seal is installed due to a leak, a dark rim may appear around it. Removing the nerve provokes the appearance of a grayish tint on the enamel for the reason that the tooth ceases to receive nutrition.

Fluorosis and other diseases

Fluorosis and some other diseases associated with excess fluoride in the body are considered to cause darkening of the teeth.In this case, bleaching does not bring positive results, and you can restore whiteness only by installing a masking pad in the orthopedic office.

Improper treatment

Enamel blackening is often caused by improper treatment. Substances that are part of some filling materials, when the dentist clogs the root canals, provoke a darkening of the entire body of the tooth.

Mechanical damage to blood vessels and nerves

A similar problem often occurs after mechanical damage to blood vessels and nerves. Blood accumulates in the cavity of the tooth, which changes the color of the enamel. Necrosis of injured tissues also leads to severe darkening. Many foods contain stains that cause blackening of the teeth. Among them:

• fruit and berry juices;
• black tea and coffee;
• confectionery;
• red wines.

The use of pharmaceuticals

Darkening of the teeth can be triggered by the use of pharmaceuticals like tetracycline and some other antibiotics. Blackening of enamel in adults often occurs due to chronic and hereditary diseases, such as:

• progressive anemia;
• diabetes;
• gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• abscesses;
• viral infections;
• diseases of the liver, kidneys and spleen.

Genetic reasons

Enamel discoloration may be due to genetic causes. In such situations, special veneer plates are used. Laminar dentures that are installed frontally are made of ceramics, porcelain and other materials. Pigmentation of the skin and tooth enamel intensifies with age.Clinical whitening in this case does not make sense, it can help here only specialist on aesthetic prosthetics.

Interesting fact: alcoholic beverages contribute to a change in the microflora of the oral cavity and increase the acid-base balance. Pathogenic bacteria that cause blackening and violation of the integrity of tooth enamel, actively multiply in an acidic environment.

Tooth browning prevention

An excellent prevention of blackening of teeth is the rejection of black tea, coffee, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. It is important to pay attention to oral care, regularly brush your teeth with high-quality paste and use floss. As an aid, you can use an irrigator, which not only massages the gums, but also effectively cleans the interdental space with a pulsating water pressure. To preserve the whiteness of enamel, it is necessary to visit the dentist's office in a timely manner.