Plaque vs. Tooth Discoloration – the Difference

Many people around the world struggle with tooth discoloration. Yellow, gray, or black-edged teeth are considered an annoying cosmetic flaw by many, which should be eliminated as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. But what actually distinguishes dental plaque from tooth discoloration, and how are these two treated?

Plaque - what is it?

Zahnbelag, which is also known as plaque in professional circles, is a white-yellowish layer on your teeth. It usually consists of food components such as Proteins, carbohydrates, phosphates, or microorganisms together and can, in extreme cases, go as far as brown or even black. There is also a distinction between hard and soft dental plaque. Hard dental plaque has a consistency similar to tartar, while soft plaque resembles other bacterial deposits. Dental plaque usually forms when harmful bacteria accumulate in hard-to-reach areas and mix with saliva and sugars from food residues. However, dental plaque can usually be very easily removed by thorough brushing.

Tooth discoloration – How does it occur?

A tooth discoloration can have many causes, but is usually only secondarily due to harmful bacteria. Most often, unfavorable eating habits such as frequent consumption of coffee, red wine, or tea play a significantly more decisive role. Over a longer period, these substances have a staining character, as they penetrate into the dentin of the teeth and settle there. The dentin is the outermost solid layer of each tooth, and a discoloration is therefore particularly visible. The difference from normal dental plaque is that tooth discolorations are usually not so easily removed by simply brushing the teeth. Here, most often custom-made bleaching sets, such as the one from OnlySmile.

We at OnlySmile recommend that you brush your teeth thoroughly and comprehensively to prevent unsightly plaque from building up. For this, a fluoride toothpaste and waxed dental floss are suitable. If you want to eliminate more severe discolorations of your teeth and are not making progress with brushing, a bleaching kit from OnlySmile may be an option. The bleaching kits from OnlySmile have the great advantage of only working on the surface of the teeth. So exactly where the discolorations occur. For this, we use hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent that is also used in professional dental practices.

Start to smile – with OnlySmile.