What causes tooth stains and how can they be removed?
The most common causes of tooth stains are tobacco, coffee, and tea. Less frequent are stains produced by bacteria or by certain medications. Tetracycline is a prime example. If this antibiotic is prescribed in the last half of pregnancy or early childhood, stains appear when the child’s permanent teeth come in The dentist uses several different methods to treat stains, depending on their type and severity. For example, smoke stains can range from moderate and removable to permanent. Some stains are removed by professional polishing of tooth surfaces. For other stains, bleaching treatments may be the answer. The dentist can create a new look for permanently stained teeth by applying tooth-color porcelain veneers to the front surfaces of teeth or by coating the surfaces with a composite resin.
