Imagine getting ready to go to a formal get-together or to hang out with your friends, and when you’re doing a fit check, you scream out in horror — there’s a brown spot on your tooth! While it is a cosmetic concern, brown stains on teeth are actually indicators of underlying issues as well.
Possible Reasons Behind the Brown Spot on Your Tooth
Mostly, the foods and beverages you consume or poor oral hygiene are responsible for tooth discoloration. But that’s not all! Below you’ll find a list of probable reasons behind the brown spots on your teeth:
Foods & Beverages
Well, good food truly does bring joy, and there is nothing that makes a day better like red wine; they might be the cause of your troubles. Tooth discoloration due to food and beverages might look like gray, yellow, or brown marks on the surface of teeth. Tea, coffee, red wine, berries, pomegranates, and other items make the list of foods or drinks that stain your teeth. A dental cleaning session might work wonders for these types of teeth stains, while there are professional teeth whitening and other options for more stubborn marks.
Tooth Decay
When plaque hangs on to your tooth, it manages to erode the enamel over time when you eat acidic and sugary foods or beverages. Over time, tooth decay occurs as plaque and bacteria eat away the enamel. Initially, though, you can spot it as a brown spot on your tooth.
Tartar
Not brushing teeth allows plaque to thrive, and it hardens into tartar. Tartar on teeth may look like a yellow or brown line along your gumline.
Fluorosis
While fluoride is essential for our oral health, overexposure to this mineral can result in dental fluorosis. This is especially true for children. Initially, it will appear as white marks on teeth that turn into brown spots with time.
Enamel Hypoplasia
Some people have less than the required amount of enamel, which results in a condition called Enamel Hypoplasia. You may notice it as brown or yellow spots with a distinctive rough texture on the surface of your teeth. Moreover, factors such as malnutrition during pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and other conditions can cause a lack of enamel.
Root Canal Issues
Problems with the dental pulp can turn the affected tooth brown or a darker shade; this is because the root of the tooth darkens. You’ll need to visit an endodontist to eliminate the issues with the nerve of your damaged tooth. Keep in mind, though, that the tooth might remain brown even after the treatment. Your dentist might cover the weakened tooth with a dental crown.
An Old Dental Work
Did you get a cavity filling done a few years back? Your tooth might be discolored due to old dental restorations such as metal, silver, or white tooth fillings. White fillings, too, are susceptible to stains that might appear as a mark on the tooth.
Medications
The medications you’re taking might have a side effect you did not expect — causing brown spots on the tooth. If a pregnant person takes certain antibiotics, chances are the child will have discolored teeth.
What Should I Do?
If you have a brown spot on your teeth, book an appointment with your dentist right now. Our team at Porter Smiles Dental is more than happy to welcome you. Dial 281 519 7200 to schedule an appointment with us! Or, better yet, pay us a visit at 21693 FM 1314 Ste 700, Porter, TX 77365.