Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesOther SymptomsTreatmentPreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Other Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
When to See a Provider
This article will discuss the causes of brown spots, treatment options, and how to prevent them. It will also cover when to contact a healthcare provider.
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What Causes Brown Spots on Teeth?
Does Coconut Oil Whiten Yellow Teeth?
Nicotine
Nicotineis the addictive drug in tobacco. A study from 2023 found thatcigarettesmoking is a common cause of tooth staining. The study also noted that heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) stain teeth to a lesser extent than cigarettes.
Food and Beverages
Foods and drinks that are highly pigmented can cause brown stains on the teeth. Two common culprits of brown stains arecoffeeandtea. The tannins in coffee will stick to the tooth enamel, causing it to stain.
Tooth Decay
Tartar
Tartaris hardened dentalplaqueon the teeth. It forms both above and below the gumline. Good oral hygiene can remove plaque but once it has turned into tartar then a dentist or dental hygienist needs to remove it. Tartar can appear as yellow, brown, or black stains on the teeth.
Fluorosis
Enamel Hypoplasia
Dental enamelis the hard, outer covering of the teeth. It protects the teeth from hard biting and chewing. Enamelhypoplasiais a congenital condition in which the enamel does not form properly and is either too thin or absent. It can affect an entire tooth or just part of a tooth.
The thin or absent enamel increases the risk of tooth decay, which can cause brown spots on or discoloration of the teeth.
Root Canal
Aroot canalis a dental procedure used when thetooth pulpbecomes infected or inflamed. This may be from tooth decay, a crack or chip, or injury to the tooth. After a root canal, a tooth can become brown or black from bleeding inside of the tooth.
Trauma
Tooth traumais a common dental injury, especially in younger children. When the tooth is hit it can become discolored, appearing gray or brown, either immediately or progressively over time. Recovery will vary based on the severity of thetooth trauma.
Old Dental Work
Just like natural teeth, old dental work likefillingsorcrownscan become discolored over time from food and drinks. They may appear darker or brown from dark drinks like coffee or red wine.
Medications
Certain medications can change the color of teeth. The most commonly known medication to cause teeth discoloration istetracycline. Tetracycline is a broad-spectrumantibioticused to treat many types of bacterial infections. The medication can bind to the calcium in the teeth causing it to become discolored. The likelihood of tetracycline staining the teeth is higher when it is taken before the teeth are fully developed (before 8 years old).
Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
Chlorhexidinemouthwashhas been used to treatperiodontitis. Chlorhexidine is both an antiseptic and disinfectant. It reduces the bacteria on the skin and mouth.However, it has been found to cause brown staining of the teeth and tongue.
Genetics
Aging
As peopleage, they become more likely to have discoloration on their teeth. This is due to the natural process of enamel becoming thinner and more translucent withage. When the enamel is thin and translucent, the yellowed dentin color appears.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition that is typically associated with the stomach andintestines,but it can also affect the teeth. The condition can cause tooth discoloration of yellow, white, or brown spots on the teeth. This is due to poor enamel development or translucent appearing teeth.
Other Symptoms to Look For
Brown spots on the teeth can be a symptom of tooth decay or a bigger health condition. Other symptoms are:
How Brown Spots on Teeth Are Treated
There are many home treatments that can remove stains from teeth they include:
If home treatment is not sufficient, then a dentist can use stronger whitening products. If whitening products cannot lift the brown spots, a veneer may be recommended to cover the tooth.
Ways to Prevent Brown Spots on Teeth
While every brown spot cannot be avoided, there are practical ways to prevent brown spots on the teeth. Prevention techniques include:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Summary
Brown spots on the teeth are often due to tartar or tooth decay. However, they may develop due to medical conditions or poor enamel development. If a brown spot develops on your teeth, contact a healthcare provider for an evaluation and treatment plan.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Karanjkar RR, Preshaw PM, Ellis JS, Holliday R.Effect of tobacco and nicotine in causing staining of dental hard tissues and dental materials: A systematic review and meta‐analysis.Clinical & Exp Dental Res. 2023;9(1):150-164. doi:10.1002%2Fcre2.683
American Dental Association.Whitening.
John Hopkins Medicine.Tooth decay (caries or cavities) in children.
Cleveland Clinic.Tartar.
Nicholas L, Yew Christopher Q, Fei Frank L.Conservative esthetic management of brown enamel fluorosis using combination therapy: A clinical report.J Conserv Dent. 2023;26(3):349. doi:10.4103/jcd.jcd_632_20
Hurst Pediatric Dentistry.What is enamel hypoplasia?March 19, 2021.
American Association of Endodontists.Root canal explained.
Kheirabadi N, Parirokh M, Fereidooni R, Manochehrifar H.Resolved tooth discolouration following root fracture employing a conservative approach: a case report.Iran Endod J. 2019 Spring;14(2):166-170. doi: 10.22037/iej.v14i2.23849
Coscarella Dentistry.How can I fix my discolored filling?September 14, 2023.
Bethany Family Dental.Do tetracycline antibiotics stain your teeth?January 21, 2023
NHS.Chlorhexidine.
MedlinePlus.Dentinogenesis imperfecta.
National Institute of Health.Dental enamel defects & celiac disease.
Cleveland Clinic.Tooth discoloration.
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