Black teeth can be a sign of problems with the teeth and mouth that should not be ignored. Identify what causes black teeth and how to treat them so that your teeth and mouth are healthy.
Healthy teeth are ivory white. This ivory white color comes from the calcium present in the enamel, which is the hard layer that protects the teeth. Tooth enamel can thin and break down over time, causing the underlying dentin to become visible. This is what makes the teeth appear darker or blackened.
In addition, stains on the enamel that cause black teeth can also occur due to certain factors, ranging from bad habits to certain diseases or medical conditions.
Recognize the 6 Main Causes of Black Teeth
The following are some of the factors that cause black teeth that you may not be aware of:
1. Consumption of certain foods and drinks
The habit of drinking coffee or tea can make the color of the teeth turn black. Both of these drinks contain dark colored substances which if kept on the teeth will leave stains on the teeth. These stains will form faster if you are lazy to brush your teeth.
In addition to coffee and tea, stains on teeth can also arise from the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages including red wine, soft drinks, and starchy foods such as potatoes and cakes.
2. Smoking habits
In addition to stains from food and drink, black teeth can also be caused by smoking. Cigarettes or tobacco products contain nicotine and tar which can stain tooth enamel.
At first, your teeth will appear yellow when you start smoking. Gradually, brown or black stains on the teeth will form due to smoking habits over the years.
3. Drug side effects
Consumption of certain drugs can change the color of the teeth or gums to blackish. These types of drugs include:
- Antibiotics, including tetracycline and doxycycline
- Antihistamines
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Hypertension medicine
In addition, the use of mouthwash chlorhexidine and iron supplements can also stain teeth. If the medication you are taking is at risk of changing the color of your teeth, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment for black teeth.
4. Dental caries
Caries or tooth decay can occur when germs or bacteria in the mouth produce acids that can eat away at the teeth. Dental caries is generally characterized by brownish yellow stains or black stains on the teeth, which initially do not cause pain.
Over time, caries will cause cavities. If not treated immediately, dental caries can cause toothache and tooth loss.
5. Necrotic pulp
Pulp necrosis or necrotic pulp is a condition of death of the dental pulp. The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth which consists of nerves and blood vessels. A dead tooth pulp can be caused by injury or damage to the tooth. If the pulp dies, the tooth will appear gray or black.
6. Other causes
In addition to these five things, black teeth can also be caused by:
- Dental fillings and installation of dental crowns (denture crowns)
- Dirty teeth so that plaque and tartar appear
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head and neck
Black tooth problems usually require medical treatment by a dentist. Treatment will be tailored to the cause and severity.
Treatments to remove black teeth include scaling teeth to clean tartar, teeth whitening procedures, fillings, installation of dental crowns, to tooth extraction.
The important thing for you to remember, stains on teeth that make black teeth can arise if you don't take good care of your dental hygiene and health. Therefore, prevent black teeth by regularly brushing your teeth 2 times a day with toothpaste containing fluoride and floss at least once a day.
You can also prevent the occurrence of black teeth by not smoking, avoiding the consumption of sweet foods, and regularly checking your teeth to the dentist at least every 6 months.