Green staining may occur on primary, i.e. baby, or secondary, i.e. permanent, teeth. Besides affecting how a person’s smile looks, green stains may signal an underlying health condition that requires immediate treatment. For more information on why you may have green staining and how to treat it, please continue reading, then contact one of our experienced general dentistry dentists located in Basking Ridge and Morristown, NJ today.
Why do you have green staining?
Intrinsic staining:
Intrinsic staining takes place deep within a tooth’s dentin, i.e. inner layer. This type of stain is uncommon, but when it does occur, it tends to happen during the tooth’s development. A lack of nutrients in a person’s diet or certain health conditions may be causing the green color.
Several internal conditions may cause tooth discoloration, including:
- Newborn jaundice resulting from hyperbilirubinemia
- Persistent jaundice
- Rh incompatibility, i.e. Rh disease
- ABO incompatibility
- Sepsis
- Hemolytic anemia
- Medication
Extrinsic staining:
Occurring on the tooth’s enamel, or outer layer, this staining usually stems from a buildup of bacteria or fungi that the person has not removed through frequent brushing. Dark foods or drinks can contribute to greenish stains on tooth enamel. Tobacco and certain medications can likewise discolor teeth.
How do you treat green staining?
Treatment differs for intrinsic and extrinsic causes of green stains. Furthermore, it depends on whether the staining occurs on baby teeth or permanent teeth. Some treatments include:
Treatments for intrinsic stains on baby teeth:
Sadly, you can’t do anything to treat green discoloration on primary teeth. Thus, you should let the baby teeth fall out naturally.
Treatments of intrinsic stains on permanent teeth:
You may experience extreme difficulty completely eliminating intrinsic stains on permanent teeth, but you can try:
- Whitening toothpastes or rinses
- Whitening strips or gels
- Tray bleaching: Your dentist can provide a custom whitening tray, which uses a peroxide-based gel, for at-home use.
- In-office whitening treatment: This procedure uses a dental lamp to intensify the breakdown of high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.
- Veneers: Veneers cover teeth instead of whitening them, but they can prove useful for hiding stubborn stains that you can’t remove.
Extrinsic stains:
Ways to treat extrinsic stains include:
- Your dentist removes a significant amount of green stains through a professional cleaning, called scaling and polishing, which uses a tool to scrape away hardened plaque and tartar above and below the gum line
- At-home whitening treatments
- Regular dental cleanings and optimal oral hygiene habits
If you or a loved one suffer from green staining, please do not hesitate to speak with a member of our team as soon as possible. We can explain your options and implement them with the utmost tact and skill.
Contact The Dental Associates of Basking Ridge
Please contact us today to schedule an appointment if you have any dental issues.
