Coloured Teeth; It's Not Always About the Brush

Growing up, whenever I saw people with colored teeth, I would wonder, "Omo, shey these people don't brush their teeth ni?" I am quite sure that many think the same. Let's look at this narrative in a new light.

While taking a walk around campus one day, I saw a handsome guy at a shop. I paused for a moment, simply appreciating the view. Then he smiled an 'aww' worthy smile and turned my way. Instantly, my appreciation shifted to clinical observation; his teeth had a brownish ring around the edges. When he realized he was showing his teeth, he subtly covered his mouth. "He must be embarrassed," I thought. This guy clearly took care of himself, so why the discoloration? That encounter prompted me to do some research on coloured teeth. To begin with, poor oral hygiene is not the only reason people have coloured teeth. We can recognize the causes of differently colored teeth based on their appearance. 

First, we have extrinsic stains. These are surface-level discolorations from the vibrant characters in our lives: the deep, rich coffee that jumpstarts our mornings, the bold red wine that accompanies laughter with friends, the steaming cup of tea on a quiet afternoon, and the spice-rich foods that speak of family recipes. Even longstanding use of tobacco. These stains are like highlighter marks on a page; they’re the most common and often the easiest to treat. 

Then, we have intrinsic stains, the plot twists written into the very paper of the book. Unlike surface stains, these discolorations originate from within the tooth's structure, the dentine. They are caused by internal factors, often during tooth development or after trauma. Common causes include tetracycline antibiotics taken in childhood, which can create greyish or brownish bands (much like what I saw in that dashing young man), physical trauma to a tooth that damages its nerve and leads to a gradual darkening or even an excess of fluoride during childhood (dental fluorosis), which results in subtle white streaks or spots on the enamel.

Finally, the aging tooth, a natural and universal process. Over time, the hard, white outer layer of our teeth, the enamel gradually wears down and becomes more translucent. Think of it like the fading ink on a well-loved page. As this protective enamel thins, it reveals more of the naturally yellowish dentin layer beneath, leading to the gradual, generalized yellowing associated with mature smiles. 

Now, let me tell you something amazing. The perfect healthy teeth are not plain white. Interesting, isn't it? Healthy teeth have a shade of off-white or light yellowish-white. Think of it like a book; the outer cover is the enamel which is translucent and bluish-white. The pages inside are the dentin which has naturally warm yellowish color. The real color you see? Those are just the pages shining gently through the cover. So if you see bright white teeth like Hollywood veneers, it doesn't necessarily mean they're healthy, it's more likely that there's some artificial whitening involved. 

Based on these types of stains we can have various forms of coloured teeth such as:

- The Yellow Color - It is mostly caused by age, coffee, tea and tobacco.

- The Brown stains - Often caused by heavy smoking, untreated decay or relentless love for coca-cola.

- The Grey Tooth - A single grey tooth can signal a past injury, a forgotten fall, or a sports mishap. In short, a ghost from a traumatic chapter. 

- The White speckle on the Teeth - Often the first sign of dental decay or a mark from childhood fluorosis.

The quest for perfectly white teeth is understandable, but it’s not the only story worth telling. A healthy, functional smile, regardless of its shade, is a beautiful thing. It speaks of laughter shared, meals enjoyed, and challenges overcome. If you’ve ever caught yourself covering your mouth mid-laugh, like that guy on campus, if your smile tells a story you wish it wouldn’t, I get it.

But the solution isn’t to hide. It’s to talk to a dentist. Figure out the 'why' behind the colour. From there, the fix could be as straightforward as a professional clean, a whitening treatment, or sometimes, just a new way of seeing your own story.

Your smile is your story. Why not edit the parts you don't love? Trust me, I've edited this article nearly as many times. 

Abdulsalam Zainab Omosubuola