I have been a heavy tea drinker for over 20 years. About 5 years ago I started seeing a new dentist, and within a couple years, I started getting black stains on my teeth - usually between the teeth and close to the gumline. I tried everything to remove the stains, but I can't, so every time I go to the dentist, they pick it away. I never used to get these kinds of stains on my teeth before I started seeing this dentist. I'm wondering if it is possible he picked too hard with his metal pick, and somehow scratched away my enamel. I think that if the enamel is removed from a tooth, it becomes very easy to stain, and maybe that's why I'm getting these stains all of a sudden.
2006-11-09 02:08:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
You might start doing this regime: Mix table salt and baking soda in a small jar. Dip your floss, (YES YOU NEED THIS, TO SAVE YOUR TEETH, in LATER LIFE.) in the soda salt mixture. You can use the little GUM Brushes made by butler. They are much easier and have saved me from having extensive gum surgery. After you floss or brush, swish a little hydrogen peroxide(used for cuts) mixed with a little water, until it stops foaming. Do Not Swallow! You will notice a difference in the tops of your teeth and your gums after a few weeks. It also becomes easier. Works for bad breath too.
2006-11-09 02:38:52 · answer #1 · answered by breaker 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Scratched Tooth Enamel
2016-10-19 09:24:12 · answer #2 · answered by stepp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if they are picking it away, then it is hardened plaque. It is very typical of contant coffee and tea drinkers to get stained plaque. Tooth enamel wears down after time, so that could be the reason why you are having this problem now. The black, stained stuff is NOT your enamel. Enamel does not grow back, so basically after they would have picked it away the first time, it would not have shown up again. Something else that strongly contributes to stains such as you have discribed is smoking. I have listed a source below that you might like to read or glance over.
2006-11-09 02:22:06 · answer #3 · answered by Leianna 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The metal "explorer" was invented in the late 1700's, with no scientific evidence of efficacy. There are studies to show that bacteria from a cavity can be transferred to a healthy tooth. The idea of using heavy pressure on the tooth is old school(I teach too). This dentist is using archaic tools when better exist. The use of the "diagnodent" increases the accuracy of decay detection, WHEN used properly. Look for a dentist using 1990's technology and get out of the 1700's!!! Good Luck!..................I just read Dr. Al's lame nswer, what a dope... his dentistry is in the dark ages.
2016-03-19 05:46:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a tea-drinker as well, and with age i notice that stains from the tea becoming more stubborn to remove. If you are a heavy plaque builder than it gets stained fast and easy. Everyone has there own rate of building plaque. It all depends on the diet, medications we take and other factors. Don't forget that tea is one of the heaviest stainer - just look at your tea cup. I have to clean it with baking soda every other day. Lately I have a lot of patients going through the in-office whitening procedure to get rid of the stain accumulation. We have amazing results with it.
As for the enamel, it is impossible to "pick" it off.
2006-11-09 04:37:44 · answer #5 · answered by alkak1 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, it is very unlikely that he picked away the enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and it is not chipped away during a routine cleaning. Over time, enamel can be worn away by grinding, clenching, and acid damage. Acid damage can include someone who has acid reflux, eats alot of citrus fruits, drinks alot of sodas, or has heartburn alot. This can cause stain to attach to the underlying dentin.
Perhaps it would be good for you to find a new home care regiment. Like a better quality toothbrush, or a different way to hold the one you have, so that you can remove these tea stains before they have a chance to harden and stay on the tooth. I think that if you brush 3-4 times a day, you will find that you don't develope so many tea stains between the cleanings.
But rest assured, I doubt that he removed any enamel during the cleaning. We remove enamel with a diamond or carbide drill bit called a bur, not with metal instruments.
And I just had to add, I don't agree with the answerer who told you to use salt on your teeth. Salt and even baking soda can be very abrassive and if you are worried about enamel being removed, then doing that over a long period of time will assure you of having enamel eroded away. Salt is too abrassive to be using it on your teeth. Use normal toothpaste. You do not need to start using household items like salt and baking soda, to remove these stains. Catching the stains before they adhere is the key. Don't let the plaque on your teeth harden into tartar, and the stains wont adhere to the tartar.
2006-11-09 02:16:34 · answer #6 · answered by LittleMermaid 5 · 8⤊ 5⤋
Unless the tooth is already weak due to another reason, it is impossible to scrap off enamel with a "dental pick" With regards to the staining, I would need to see it to tell you.
2006-11-09 10:15:36 · answer #7 · answered by drrahim@markvilledental.com 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is absolutely not possible to scratch enamel off of a tooth. you are actually more likely to break the instrument before you scratch the tooth.
2006-11-09 09:53:56 · answer #8 · answered by tomh311 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT POSSIBLE
2006-11-09 03:11:55 · answer #9 · answered by NICKIE 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋