Pit staining happens to some teeth because they have more grooves to capture stains from beverages, such as coffee. While this type of stain is not severe, it can be unsightly.
What Can You Do to Get Rid of Pit Stains?
Because of their dark coloring against a light-colored tooth surface, you may want to remove pit stains on the teeth. If your current toothpaste does not do the trick, we can recommend some toothpastes you can use to minimize the discoloration. Also, we may discuss an in-office whitening treatment. If it makes you self-conscious to have the staining, we can discuss whitening options to improve your teeth's appearance.
Preventing Pit Stains
Most dental pit stains, as noted, come from consuming certain foods or beverages. For example, foods, such as curries or beets, will stain the teeth, as will some sports drinks and the aforementioned tea or coffee. The stains may build up on any part of a tooth once they settle in, including inter-dental spaces and visible surfaces. Even little pores in the teeth can capture stains, which lead to pit staining. A pit in the tooth is not a cavity – just a small crater. The stains settle inside of the small crater and form marks on the tooth. At first, some patients think their teeth have decay. However, the pit stain is just that – merely a hard-to-remove stain. If anything else happens with the pit stain, we will treat it. Otherwise, we can suggest a dentifrice or whitening agent to make the staining less pronounced.
If you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day, it helps to reduce surface stains. Also, it would help if you had professional cleanings every six months. Give us a call today if you have not had a cleaning in the last six months or a dental exam. We can fit you in at a time that is convenient for you.
Pit staining happens to some teeth because they have more grooves to capture stains from beverages, such as coffee. While this type of stain is not severe, it can be unsightly.