Brown Spots On Teeth

What Can Cause Brown Spots on Teeth?

Our teeth say a lot about our oral hygiene habits, so it’s no surprise that brown spots are not something we like to deal with. The good news is there are plenty of options available to help fix this discoloration. Tartar causes tooth decay, and the result is brown stains or spots. Certain medical conditions can also cause these spots. Your dentist or dental hygienist can offer a solution depending on the specific cause of the brown spots, which are listed below.

• Celiac Disease : The tooth enamel of those with celiac disease is often underdeveloped. Brown, yellow, or white spots may appear, and the enamel may become translucent. Frequently, the effects are permanent, so those dealing with this condition often choose restoration to cover the condition.
• Tartar : Tartar is a brown colored substance resulting from plaque building up on teeth and hardening. Tartar can appear at the line between the teeth and gums—regular brushing with toothpaste will not remove it.
• Decay : Brown spots are symptomatic of tooth decay, which develops from eating sugary and starchy foods excessively. Beverages high in sugar also cause brown spots while creating plaque that sticks to the tooth surface and ultimately damages it over time. Enamel can be destroyed and turned brown if the plaque isn’t removed by regular brushing. Brown spots also come from the dentin underneath, which has a naturally darker shade when exposed by worn enamel.
• Fluorosis : Excessive fluoride intake causes fluorosis, and with more severe cases, brown pits can appear on teeth. Children are especially vulnerable to too much fluoride due to their teeth still forming in the gum. The result is discoloration of tooth enamel. Mild fluorosis is characterized by permanent white lines or streaks---brown, gray, or black patches and pits combined with an irregular tooth surface indicate more serious fluorosis. However, fluorosis is only cosmetic, and unless the teeth are decayed from another cause, they’re perfectly healthy.

Treatment & Prevention

• Only dentists can fix brown spots from decay. They do so by removing the decayed area and replacing it with a filling. White fillings matching natural teeth color can be requested.
• Brown spotting from celiac disease and fluorosis is permanent and cannot be improved by whitening toothpaste or treatments. If no decay is present, removing the affected area is not appropriate. However, dentists can cover stained teeth with veneers. Veneers are thin shells that cover teeth and can be matched to your natural tooth color.
• Tartar can be removed by dental hygienists or dentists by scraping it away with special tools and then polishing and cleaning teeth enamel to perfect the final appearance.
• The best long-term prevention of brown spots from tartar and tooth decay is brushing teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and avoiding sugary foods.

Brown spots can be burdensome, but they do not have to be a long-term problem. If you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above, a checkup with your dentist can go a long way. The sooner the cause is found, the easier it is to find the solution.

If you have any questions regarding brown spots on your teeth, you can always consult your dentist and sign up for our New Hampshire Individual Discount Dental Plan to save as much as 20 percent on all your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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