Why Brushing May Not Be Helping Your Dark Tooth!

A dental care routine that involves brushing twice a day, followed by flossing and mouthwash, is considered the Holy Trinity of immaculate oral hygiene. But, there are times when brushing may not just be enough to broom away your teeth-related blues. A massive chunk of the world population has naturally yellow teeth that are perfectly hale and healthy. But, sometimes, darkness descends on the teeth and wrecks havoc. Not to sound dramatic, but dark teeth that are not natural may result from several severe dental complications. Many a time, brushing the teeth may not be the ultimate solution to getting rid of dark teeth as other dubious factors may cause them. 

Dark Teeth and Dentin

Charcoal-based toothpaste tubes are all the rage right now. But, overuse of gritty and abrasive pastes can ruin the precious enamel and expose the dentin, causing the teeth to become darker and yellower. As the enamel gets thinner, the dentin, which is darker in color, starts revealing itself, and the teeth look more somber than before. In such a context, brushing the teeth does more harm than good. In addition to highly abrasive toothpaste, the excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks can also soften the enamel. The optimal solution during such times is to avoid gritty pastes and use gentle products on your teeth. 

Dark Teeth and Tartar

Tartar is a hard deposit that assembles on the teeth due to the subsequent build-up of dental plaque. Our mouth is a repository of minerals and ions that attract hordes of bacteria and fungi. The mixture of saliva with bacteria and fungi results in forming a soft, sticky layer on the teeth called plaque. When plaque becomes rock-solid, it turns into tartar – a dark-colored substance. Alternately known as calculus, tartar cannot be removed at home and requires professional intervention at the earliest. If left ignored, the dark teeth caused by tartar would culminate into dangerous gum diseases and other problems.

Dark Teeth and Cavities 

Often, the darkness that you see on a tooth may be a cavity hole formed by the attack of bacteria. Cavities occur when they rampantly build-up and release acids that harm the teeth and dissolve the outermost surface of the enamel. The process of cavity formation is a result of the demineralization of the teeth. The only solution during such times is to visit the dentist at the earliest and get the cavity treated. 

Therefore, we can safely assert that dark teeth may not always be the consequence of poor brushing habits. Cavities, enamel erosion, and tartar formation are a few of the factors that may be contributing to making your teeth darker and yellower. Nonetheless, it is always advisable to follow a rigorous oral care regimen to keep dental problems at bay. Studies show that brushing teeth regularly has numerous ancillary benefits such as preventing respiratory diseases, improved cognition function, appetite control, weight loss, and so forth. 

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