Do you ever notice black stuff on your teeth? It makes your teeth look unhealthy. These black spots can appear due to poor oral hygiene and many other reasons that lead to a big problem. People usually do not experience any pain at first so they ignore it until it gets worse which may cause tooth loss at the end
In this blog, we will discuss 10 major reasons that cause black stuff on teeth. We will know about the prevention of this black stuff on teeth to maintain your smile.
10 reasons for black stuff on teeth
People often consider black stuff on teeth as a tooth disease. Some people consider it very normal and do not pay attention to it until it becomes a big dental problem. These black patches or spots appear mainly due to poor hygiene and the following reasons.
Poor Oral Hygiene
The main reason for black stuff on teeth is usually poor hygiene or bad oral habits. It comes gradually due to less brushing and flossing which increases bacterial growth on your teeth. Over time bacteria and dirt make a plaque around your teeth that turns black in color and gets hard to remove as tartar. You cannot remove the tartar at home with simple brushing and flossing. It can only be controlled by good oral care.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Smoking can cause serious damage to your teeth due to the tobacco which contains strong chemicals. Your teeth start turning black when you smoke daily or chew tobacco for a long time. Your teeth turn dirty and black stuff appears on the front teeth. This becomes a big issue if you ignore it at the start which makes your teeth look darker and weaker. You fully remove these marks because tobacco leaves strong layers on teeth that cannot be removed only with brushing. You see black spots on front teeth or between teeth which makes your smile look dull. Stopping tobacco can help to make your teeth stay clean.
Food and Drink Stains
Foods and drinks can cause black stuff on teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine and cola have colors that stick to your teeth. Dark sauces and berries also make marks on teeth. If you do not clean your teeth after eating these things, then these stains turn black. You see black stuff on your teeth and it makes your teeth look dirty. Rinsing your mouth after meals and brushing twice helps to stop this.
Tooth Decay and Cavities
Tooth decay is another reason for black stuff on teeth and cavities start when plaque eats your enamel slowly. The bad area turns black or dark brown when you ignore it then the decay goes deep inside the tooth and causes pain. This becomes a big problem when you do not treat it on time. Dental treatment is very important to stop the decay and remove the black stuff on teeth to give you a beautiful smile again.
Poor Dental Fillings or Crowns
Some old dental work appears on teeth abnormally which makes them look more black and patchy. Metal fillings can be visible on teeth and the surrounding area of the teeth over time. People usually get black stuff from broken and leaking dental implants because bacteria get trapped in the implant site which makes it look dark or brown. You need a filling or crown replacement if you see black stuff on your teeth.
Tartar and Calculus Build Up
Tartar is also called calculus and it is a hard plaque that sticks on your teeth and builds up on the surface to slowly turn them dark. It can look black or dark brown when it becomes more when it forms near your gums and also between your teeth. It keeps getting harder with time and stays on the tooth like a strong layer that you cannot remove at home because brushing does not take it off. It is too hard to clean by yourself. Only a dentist removes tartar. A dental cleaning breaks the hard layer and makes your teeth clean again. It also keeps your gums safe from damage.
Certain Medications
Some medicines can make black stuff appear on your teeth that increases with time. Iron supplements have dark pigmentation so they can leave some dark marks on teeth. Some antibiotics can also cause dark stains on teeth as side effects of the body. A mouthwash containing chlorhexidine can cause black stuff on your teeth if you use it for a long time. These stains can look scary and can make your teeth look dirty even when you brush every day. Do not feel worried if you see black stuff on your teeth after using a new medicine and explain your whole condition to your dentist. Your dentist can help reduce the symptoms and suggest another medicine or offer a safe cleaning option.
Vitamin Deficiency
Some vitamins are very important to keep your teeth healthy and strong. If you notice any change in your gums and teeth so you may have a deficiency of any vitamin. Vitamin C deficiency can make gums weak and enamel soft which makes teeth easily damaged due to black stuff on the teeth. Other vitamin deficiencies like vitamin D, can also harm your oral health and make teeth look very dull. Do not ignore this sign and start eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and dairy that will help to the teeth strong and spot free.
Genetic or Developmental Factors
Some people can have dark teeth due to some genetic defects that affect their enamel formation and tooth protection. Some people can have weak enamel due to defects in their genes that make teeth weak. One of the most common genetic conditions is hypoplasia. This is a condition in which enamel does not form properly which makes your teeth thin and weak. Bacteria easily attack your teeth and form plaque which forms black stuff on teeth. This condition cannot be handled with a home care routine so you should consult with your dentist.
Fungal or Bacterial Infections
Some fungal or bacterial infections can cause black stuff on teeth because bacteria make pigments on teeth that turn teeth black over time. These infections happen more in people with weak immune systems because their immune systems cannot fight the bacteria that make the situation worse. People with poor oral hygiene can have severe damage due to plaque formation. The infection can get worse and affect more teeth when you ignore it in the early stages.
How to Prevent Black Stuff on Teeth
Take some easy steps to avoid black stuff on teeth with early care. Here are some steps you should take
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Floss every day to remove food between teeth
- Avoid smoking
- Reduce chewing tobacco
- Limit dark colored foods and drinks
- Rinse your mouth after consuming acidic foods
- Visit your dentist regularly
- Consult your doctor for cleaning early
- Eat a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals
- Maintain vitamins and minerals
- Use a mouthwash to kill bacteria
- Keep teeth clean to prevent plaque
Good oral hygiene is key to avoiding all oral problems. Black stuff on teeth is the worst case that can only be controlled with these habits.
When to See a Dentist
Black stuff on teeth can be prevented with the best care and good oral hygiene. Once it forms it is tough to make it normal without dental treatment.
- Professional cleaning to remove tartar
- Filling cavities
- Repairing old fillings
- Whitening treatment for stains
- Checking for vitamin deficiency or infection
Ignoring black stuff on teeth can result in tooth loss in the end. It also makes your smile bad and affects your confidence. Get early care to make it reduce the damage from black stuff.
FAQs
Why am I getting black stuff on my teeth?
Black stuff on teeth is usually caused by many reasons like plaque and tartar formation. The main cause of the problem is always poor oral hygiene which increases bacterial damage to your teeth and turns them black. Only a dentist can tell you the actual reason for the problem.
Which vitamin deficiency causes black spots on teeth?
Vitamin C deficiency can cause tooth weakness and make them fall out. Your teeth become so weak that they cannot immunize themselves against bacterial and fungal infection. Eat fruits and vegetables to help your immunity.
How can I remove blackness from my teeth?
Keep your teeth safe and healthy by using different cleaning methods. Brush daily to reduce the damage and consult a doctor to remove the black stuff on your teeth. You need dental work to remove all plaque and the blackness of teeth.
Can black stuff on teeth be a serious problem?
Black stuff can lead to tooth infection and tooth loss in the end. It also causes severe pain and tartar buildup that cannot be treated easily at home. Must consult your doctor to know the cause and prevention of dental problems.
Does diet affect black stuff on teeth?
Your diet can also cause pigmentation on your teeth. Dark colored and sugary foods can make these spots worse. Eat simple food that does not affect your enamel health.
Conclusion
Black stuff on teeth is common in people who smoke and chew tobacco. You should not ignore this issue because it can lead to serious problems like tooth decay or tooth loss. Bad oral hygiene is one of the main causes of black stuff on teeth so you should brush and floss daily to keep the teeth clean. Black stuff can be an indication of a vitamin deficiency that can be covered by improving diet and taking supplements.
Consult your dentist to know the underlying cause and prevention to control the condition.
