Keeping your teeth free of stains is not only important for a beautiful smile but also for your health and well-being.
Maintaining your smile is essential, especially after investing in All-on-4® dental implants. But do All-on-4® teeth stain like natural teeth? And what are the things you should be doing to keep your All-on-4® teeth stain-free?
Things That Stain Natural Teeth But Not All-on-4®
Many things can stain natural teeth over time due to their acidity, pigments or staining properties. But how exactly do natural teeth get stained?
Natural teeth become stained or discoloured when pigments are absorbed by the enamel. It can also happen when dentin (the yellowish second layer of the teeth) becomes more visible.
Some of the most common foods and drinks that stain natural teeth are
Red wine
Acidic drinks and foods are some of the most common culprits for stained teeth. Acidic beverages like red wine can roughen up and open the pores within your teeth' enamel, leaving unwanted stains behind.
Coffee
If you were thinking of quitting coffee, here is another reason to add to your list!
Coffee contains tannins, a natural plant compound that can cause colour compounds to stick to your teeth.
To avoid stained teeth, think twice before having your next morning brew.
Tea
Like coffee, tea contains tannins that can cause stains on your teeth. However, a study has found that adding two per cent milk to your cup of tea can significantly reduce your teeth from being stained.
Citrus fruits
While citrus fruits don’t directly stain your teeth, they play a part in the process.
The acidity in citrus fruits can erode the enamel on your teeth, making them more prone to staining and sensitivity.
Berries
Dark berries, such as blackberries and blueberries, contain a dark pigment that can cause staining on teeth.
One way to continue your dark berry intake while preventing staining is to consume them in a smoothie mixed with yoghurt or milk.
Much like dark berries, dark-pigmented fruit juices such as cranberry, beetroot and blueberry can also stain your teeth.
Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce
Like dark-pigmented drinks, dark-pigmented sauces can stain teeth.
The high acidity in sauces like vinegar can cause the enamel on your teeth to break down, allowing compounds to set in and stain your teeth.
Lollies
Sugar not only causes tooth decay, but the acidity in lollies creates an acidic environment, making your teeth more susceptible to staining and discolouration.
Many hard and gummy-type lollies contain coloured dyes that can settle in your enamel, resulting in stains.
Things That Stain All-on-4® Teeth
If you’ve recently undergone the All-on-4® treatment or are considering getting it done, you may wonder if All-on-4® teeth stain.
Certain foods can stain your All-on-4® teeth but in a different way than natural teeth.
In general, tooth staining isn’t a problem when it comes to All-on-4® dental implants, as the glazed finish protects them.
However, the glaze can be worn down if you eat many acidic foods, use abrasive toothpaste or don’t follow a proper cleaning routine to take care of your All-on-4® prosthesis. The glaze can also be damaged by chewing on hard items, such as ice, hard lollies, pen caps or even fingernails.
If the glazed finish on your All-on-4® teeth is damaged, it can lead to stains. However, unlike natural teeth that can be whitened or have stains removed with lasers, All-on-4® teeth must be seen by a professional. To remove stains from your All-on-4® teeth, you will need to undergo professional treatment, such as polishing, re-glazing, or, in severe cases, replacement.
If the glaze on your All-on-4® teeth has been damaged, the following foods and drinks can cause stains:
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Tea
- Berries
Some of the things you can do to avoid staining your All-on-4® teeth include:
Abrasive toothpastes
Regular toothpaste can easily scratch and damage your prosthetic teeth. If you aren’t sure what toothpaste is best for your All-on-4®, your dental surgeon at Next Smile Australia can recommend non-abrasive toothpaste or gels.
Smoking or chewing tobacco
The tar in nicotine and tobacco can discolour your new teeth with a yellowish or brownish tint. Tobacco can also cause your implants to fail, so it’s best to avoid it altogether.
Dark-pigmented foods and drinks
As mentioned earlier, foods and drinks that have dark pigments are prone to staining natural and artificial teeth.
Minimising your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and berries will prevent dark stains from appearing on your beautiful, new teeth. If you can’t live without those drinks, drinking them with a straw is a great way to minimise their contact with your teeth.
Like most things, prevention is key. So, to avoid staining your All-on-4® teeth, avoid foods and drinks known to stain teeth and follow a proper oral hygiene routine.
When it comes to All-on-4®, cleaning is the best way to prevent or manage stains and prolong your teeth' life. Brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing and using antibacterial mouthwash is crucial to maintaining good oral hygiene.
How To Remove Stains from All-on-4® Teeth
If the glazed finish on your All-on-4® has been damaged and you’ve now got stains, removing them is different from natural teeth.
All-on-4® teeth, which are made from materials such as porcelain, zirconia or acrylic, require a more gentle approach to removing stains.
If you’ve been wondering how to remove stains from All-on-4® dental bridges, here are some steps you can take:
Speak with your dental surgeon
If you have noticed any stains on your All-on-4® teeth, the best thing to do is speak with your Next Smile Australia dental surgeon before trying to remove them yourself.
They will be able to check your teeth, examine the stains and provide you with a solution on the best way to remove them.
Professional cleaning
One of the easiest ways to remove stains on your All-on-4® is to get them professionally cleaned every six months.
Like natural teeth, your All-on-4® teeth should be examined and cleaned every six months. During routine cleaning, dentists use specialised tools to remove surface stains.
If the stains are so severe that they can’t be removed, your dental surgeon may recommend replacing the discoloured teeth.
All-on-4® Dental Implants at Next Smile Australia
With the amount of acidic food and drinks out there and dark-pigmented food and drinks, getting stained teeth is inevitable.
If you’ve recently undergone the All-on-4® treatment and have been asking yourself how to remove stains from All-on-4® dental bridges, there are many steps you can take.
The first step is to contact your All-on-4® dental surgeon at Next Smile Australia to provide their expert advice and solution to ridding your new teeth of stains.
If you’ve been considering getting the All-on-4® treatment or want to learn more, book a consultation at your nearest Next Smile Australia Super Clinic.
With Super Clinics located around the country, our dental surgeons are ready to provide you with a new, natural-looking smile with you.