We all get brown toot staining to a degree, some of us more than others.
So what causes it and how do we avoid it? It is widely known that tannins in red wine, tea and coffee can stain, but there are other drinks that are less well known to have this unaesthetic effect, like green and peppermint tea. There are generally more tannins in tea than coffee.
Prevention: it is the plaque present on teeth that picks up the stains form food and drink, and by brushing effectively twice a day, using interdental aids like floss and interdental brushes, we can reduce or prevent the build up of stain. Rinsing out with water after having a staining beverage will reduce the stains slightly.
As the drinks mentioned above cannot usually be avoided altogether, it is reassuring to know that the staining can usually be removed at the surgery during your routine cleaning appointment with the hygienist. We also have Air Flow polishing equipment for particularly heavy or difficult to reach stains. So by the end of your visit the teeth will return to their natural whiteness and our hygienists will provide tailored oral hygiene advice on keeping them that way for as long as possible.
We hope you found this information helpful and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Upper Berkeley Dental Care Team
