One of the aesthetic defects of teeth is black spots or dots on the surface or in hard-to-reach areas, which arise for various reasons. Often, they not only spoil the aesthetics of the smile but also indicate pathologies that require treatment. The AESTHETE Dental Clinic offers services for the removal of black spots from the surface of tooth enamel.
Black Spots on Teeth: What Are They?
Many people encounter dark spots on the surface of their teeth. They can be black, dark brown, or dark yellow. These darkened areas can appear even in people who regularly brush their teeth with a carefully selected toothbrush, use an irrigator, dental floss, and mouthwash.
Black spots and stains can appear in both adults and children. This is a serious aesthetic problem. A bright white smile is one of the signs of an attractive appearance. Therefore, due to enamel darkening, people may not look as attractive as before. This can lead to psychological difficulties in communicating with others. As a result, children and adolescents often face challenges in their studies. It is also more difficult for adults to work, especially if their professional activity involves business negotiations or public speaking.
Black spots on teeth can be a sign of a disease. If the problem is ignored, it will not resolve on its own. The condition of the tooth enamel will continue to worsen, and aesthetic defects will become more noticeable. This can result in the loss of one or more teeth.
Therefore, if darkened areas have formed on the enamel surface, it is important to visit a dentist as soon as possible.
Is a Black Spot on a Tooth a Cavity?
The first thought that comes to mind for most people who notice dark spots on their teeth enamel is that it's a sign of tooth decay. This is indeed possible, but teeth can also darken for other reasons. Therefore, you should not try to diagnose yourself, and you need to visit a doctor.
It is important to determine where exactly the dark pigments have accumulated, which caused the tooth color change:
- On the surface of the enamel;
- Within the enamel;
- In the dentin – the next layer of tissue under the semi-transparent enamel. If it has darkened, the dark area may show through.
With cavities, whitish or yellowish spots first appear on the surface of the teeth. These have a loose structure, caused by bacteria that destroy the enamel. Only later do the affected areas gradually darken.
If the affected area has darkened immediately, without a light spot appearing first, it is unlikely that decay is the cause. Therefore, diagnosis is necessary, and only a qualified dentist can conduct it.
Sometimes, the darkening of fissures (grooves and indentations on the chewing surface of teeth) is mistaken for cavities. Plaque with dark pigment can accumulate in these fissures. Fissures are not a pathology, but plaque accumulation can indeed lead to cavities.
What Causes Black Spots on Teeth?
The reasons why teeth darken can be divided into external and internal factors.
External factors that provoke the appearance of black spots include:
- Smoking – tobacco contains resins that penetrate deep into tooth enamel, causing black, brown, or dark yellow spots to appear. Nicotine-containing products can have a similar effect.
- Improper or insufficient oral care. Initially, a soft film forms on the surface of the teeth. If it is not removed, mineralization processes will occur within it, making it hard. These deposits are called tartar, and they can be dark.
- Consuming food and drinks that contain staining pigments. If such foods or drinks are consumed infrequently and in small quantities, staining will not occur. But with excessive consumption, enamel can become discolored.
There are also internal factors that can cause small dark spots or large black patches to appear on teeth.
- Fluorosis – a developmental disorder of the tooth enamel caused by excessive fluoride content in drinking water. This typically occurs in childhood and becomes noticeable as the child grows older. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and increases its resistance to cavities. However, it also alters the color of teeth.
- Hereditary diseases. For example, porphyria, which is characterized by a disorder in pigment metabolism in the body.
- Taking certain medications. For example, regular use of tetracycline can cause teeth to take on a yellow-gray tint.
- Using filling materials that contain mercury and other metals. These materials are almost never used today. Fillings made from them quickly darken. Root canal fillings can also cause black spots on teeth.
- Chips and cracks from mechanical damage to teeth. When the protective enamel layer is compromised, bacteria can penetrate through defects. This causes cavities, starting as spots and eventually leading to dark cavities that expand as the tooth tissues decay.
- Age-related changes – in elderly people, dentin darkens. Meanwhile, enamel becomes thinner, so the darkening of the dentin becomes more noticeable.
- Improper nutrition. The body needs a sufficient amount of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. If any substances are lacking, this may manifest in various ways, including the appearance of black spots and patches on teeth.
In children, tooth enamel can darken due to the use of iron-containing medications or problems with calcium absorption. Other causes include gastrointestinal diseases, excessive sugar consumption, and dysbiosis.
Which Foods Cause Black Spots on Teeth?
If darkening is caused by cavities, the state of enamel may have been affected by foods and drinks, especially carbonated beverages, that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar stimulates the growth of bacteria that destroy teeth.
The appearance of darkened areas may also be explained by the consumption of foods and drinks that have a high content of coloring agents. These include:
- Coffee;
- Tea;
- Red wine;
- Natural berry juices;
- Fresh berries;
- Beetroot;
- Soy sauce.
Can Black Spots Be Removed?
It is possible to improve the color of the teeth, but not in all cases. Therefore, it is important to determine the exact cause of the darkening and choose the appropriate method. In some cases, simply changing the diet is enough, while in others, prolonged treatment is required. Typically, the first step in solving the problem is professional cleaning, during which a dental hygienist removes soft and hard plaque. It is especially important to remove hard deposits that cannot be eliminated at home with a regular toothbrush.
Whitening
There are several methods aimed at breaking down pigments in enamel and dentin. Whitening can be chemical, ultrasonic, or laser. It allows you to lighten teeth by several shades. It is important to know that such technologies are not effective in all situations. For example, they will not solve the problem if it is caused by prolonged use of tetracycline or advanced fluorosis.
Also, after whitening, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations to maintain the result longer. In particular, you should limit smoking and reduce the consumption of drinks and foods with a high pigment content.
Cavity Treatment
If the cause of the darkening is decay, the dentist removes the affected tissue using a dental drill. The resulting cavities are filled with filling material. A flexible photopolymer is used, and its shade can be selected to match the natural color of the patient's teeth. This material does not darken over time, providing a good aesthetic result.
Enamel Remineralization
The cause of darkening may be a lack of substances that should be present in tooth enamel. In this case, remineralization can help – restoring the composition of the tooth's protective layer. Gels with a high content of calcium or fluoride are applied to the surface of the teeth. An alternative solution is wearing special trays filled with therapeutic agents.
Artistic Restoration
If a significant amount of tissue is removed, the damaged tooth can be restored to its previous shape and size. Dentists use the same photopolymer material used for fillings.
Veneer Placement
Veneers are thin ceramic plates attached to the outer surface of the teeth. They do not correct aesthetic defects but mask them. Therefore, this solution is used when:
- The defects are not very significant;
- There is no threat to health.
At the AESTHETE Dental Clinic, we use the Magicneers technology. This allows for the placement of veneers without preliminary grinding. This means there is no pain or discomfort that occurs with traditional methods. We also ensure high quality. Veneers last for a long time and look beautiful. With them, you can create a true Hollywood smile.
Prevention of Dark Spots
You can significantly reduce the likelihood of black dots and spots on tooth enamel by following simple rules.
Brush your teeth regularly twice a day, ensuring the cleaning is thorough and lasts at least two minutes. In addition to a toothbrush and toothpaste, it is recommended to use dental floss, an irrigator, and mouthwash. It is important to thoroughly remove plaque, even from hard-to-reach areas.
It is advisable to visit a dental hygienist for professional cleaning every six months.
Additionally, you should:
- Strengthen tooth enamel – a fluoride toothpaste is suitable, but its use should be coordinated with a doctor;
- Care for fillings, polishing them with special discs;
- Limit consumption of foods and drinks high in sugar and coloring pigments;
- Quit smoking or at least reduce the number of cigarettes smoked daily;
- Monitor the quality of water – if it does not meet standards or raises concerns, it is better to buy bottled water from the store.
The AESTHETE Dental Clinic is located in Dubai (UAE), Bluewaters Island. We use effective methods to remove black spots on teeth. In particular, the clinic uses the Magicneers technology – placing veneers without grinding. We offer consultations and propose solutions tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
Questions and Answers
Do black spots on teeth disappear?
Darkening of tooth enamel is a problem that in most cases can only be solved with the help of a dentist. Even thorough cleaning or quitting smoking will not improve the situation, only slow down the worsening of the condition. Therefore, dark spots on the surface of your teeth should be addressed as soon as possible by a doctor. Modern dentistry offers effective methods to eliminate this aesthetic defect.
Should I quit smoking if I have black spots on my teeth?
It is advisable to quit smoking or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. While this alone won't solve the problem, it will slow down the development of the issue. Be sure to schedule an appointment with a dental clinic.
