How a Brown Spot on a Tooth calls for a visit to Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry
Noticing a sudden brown stain between your teeth can be terrifying. What could it possibly mean? However, before you start panicking, tooth discoloration between teeth is pretty standard. In fact, there are a number of reasons why you may develop brown spots on the surface of your teeth.
While usually, the brown spot between teeth is treatable, it can indicate a serious underlying issue. This can be related to either decay that is growing or just a food stain that is covering your tooth.
As there are many types of brown stains or brown plaque on teeth, we will discuss in detail all types in great detail.
If you are concerned about those brown stains on the back of your teeth, schedule an appointment with Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry at Jester Blvd to get them checked and treated at the most affordable cost.
Brown Stains Between Teeth Develop
If you have noticed a brown spot on your teeth, there could be multiple factors behind it. There are times when brown stains on the back of teeth can also develop. Here are the common causes of tooth discoloration:
- Tartar: When tartar builds up on your teeth and along your gum line, it can appear brown or yellow. This is because the porous tartar deposit is actually quite porous and susceptible to staining. If this is the issue, you will need a professional dental cleaning or other dental procedures to eliminate it.
- Tooth Decay: The brown spot between your teeth could be a sign of tooth decay. Therefore, one or both of the teeth might have fallen victim to decay, resulting in the brown stain. If it does not receive dental attention, you may notice a cavity between teeth, which is an advanced form of tooth decay. Depending on the stage, you may need a dental filling or another treatment for tooth decay.
- Stains: The foods and beverages you enjoy consuming might be to blame for the sudden brown stains between your teeth. Many food items, including red wine, coffee, tea, etc., could cause tooth discoloration and affect your smile. A professional teeth whitening procedure could be useful in case of tooth discoloration. And, if the stain is stubborn, you can opt for dental veneers.
- Tobacco: Tooth staining is also attributed to tobacco usage. Hence, smoking, vaping, and other forms of tobacco could leave a significant mark on your teeth. Using tobacco usually causes discoloration behind the front teeth, but you may notice sudden brown stains between your teeth as well. You may want to consider dental polishing or other cosmetic procedures to eliminate discoloration due to tobacco.
- Medications: You may notice staining and discoloration between your teeth due to certain medications, especially liquid medicines. If you noticed the brown spots on your teeth after you started taking a new medication, talk to your healthcare provider to discuss whether it could be responsible.
- Fluorosis:Exposure to excessive fluoride can lead to fluorosis, which can cause tooth discoloration. In children, especially, consuming too much fluoride is linked to brown stains on teeth. The dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth to determine the best course of action to get rid of this condition.
- Age: As you age, your teeth tend to become weak as the dental enamel wears away. As a result, you may notice brown stains between your teeth and on other spots. This is because aging increases the possibility of your teeth absorbing color from the foods and beverages you consume. Your dentist can recommend the best treatment based on your condition.
Does Poor Brushing Lead to Brown Stains?
Poor Oral hygiene is a leading cause of plaque and tartar. Getting regular hygiene check-ups and visiting your dentist regularly will significantly reduce this incidence.
Try focusing on better oral hygiene maintenance at home, such as gentle brushing, flossing and mouthwash rinses, to fight the bacterial load in your mouth.
Can Your Braces or Retainers cause Staining of Teeth
Braces or retainers can be a major cause of staining if not managed properly. Braces can trap plaque and tartar around the fixed devices and cause increased bacterial load around these appliances.
To keep the stains from growing and converting into more serious situations like cavities or pitting around the brackets, use all possible hygiene maintenance practices like mouth rinses and water flossing to the maximum.
If these issues do not resolve with your active cleaning methods, consult your dentist at Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry to get a review and further action, like cleaning or fluoride varnish therapy.
When a Brown Stain Can Be a Dental Emergency?
A brown stain between your teeth can be a dental emergency. If it is followed up by a black spot, it can reach your nerve pulp and cause severe pain, even a broken tooth.
If the discoloration is accompanied by throbbing pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or sudden or acute aching, it could lead to an infection or abscess requiring immediate attention.
Swollen or bleeding gums around the stained area, pus, or a foul taste can also be a concern, which can lead to dental abscess and pain.
A loose tooth with staining might mean periodontal disease or trauma-related damage. If there is trauma to the tooth and it changes colour after some time, it needs to be addressed as a dental emergency. Delaying could lead to tooth loss or expensive procedures requiring tooth replacement.
People with diabetes or weakened immune systems should make an extra effort to report any brown stains to their dentist. If at-home cleaning habits like baking soda scrubbing or oil pulling do not work, it can be a dental emergency that needs to be looked at.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist at Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry to get your brown spots on teeth checked.
Can Brown Stains between Teeth caused by Genetics?
Most brown factors are caused by external factors like smoking, food color or decay that can progress into brown stains and cause discoloration.
There can also be causes like thin enamel, naturally dark dentin, or tartar plaque build up, causing a darker colour of the tooth.
Genetic causes like amelogenis imperfecta (enamel defects) or dentinogenesis imperfecta (dentin defects) also cause tooth discoloration because of broken or weak tooth structure.
Preventing Tooth Discoloration
You can prevent tooth discoloration in the first place by practicing the following tips:
- Using the correct technique, brush your teeth twice every day.
- Opt for a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
- Use interdental brushes to clean the area between teeth.
- Floss regularly.
- Refrain from smoking and tobacco usage.
- Attend your regular dental cleanings and examinations
- Rinse your mouth with the help of water or alcohol-free mouthwash after eating something sweet or acidic.
Conclusion
If you notice sudden brown stains between your teeth, it could be due to tartar, decay, medications, tobacco use, and more. Before any of these reasons turn your dental health into an emergency, contact your local dentist right away.
No situation is too complicated for our trained staff, and we can immediately take care of your emergencies.
Our Smile 4ever Family Dentistry experts have the experience and skills you need for healthy teeth. Dial 281-213-5668 to book an appointment with the best dental team in town. You can also visit us at 14715 TC Jester Blvd Houston, Texas 77068.