(A). Chlorhexidine
(B). Clean mouth
(C). Black tea
(D). Tobacco
Black line stain is usually related to a clean mouth. It is an extrinsic stain that can be removed. Some scientific research suggests that it is associated with iron compounds (ferric sulfide) and betel leaf chewing habits. The bacteria found on black stain are usually gram-positive and therefore, the stain is not an indication of periodontal diseases. The color black is just a trick to make you believe that it is harmful, but it is not. Let’s review more stains by color for the dental hygiene board exam (NBDHE, NDHCE, CSCE, WREB).
Answer: (B). Clean mouth
- Orange-red: chromogenic bacteria, chromic acid/copper chemicals
- Yellow: heavy dental biofilm/calculus
- Green: Nasmyth’s membrane (thin tissue on newly erupted teeth), copper/nickel chemicals
- Blue: dentinogenesis imperfecta, dentin dysplasia
- Brown spot: potential carious lesions, fluorosis
- Brown: chlorhexidine, tobacco, food (e.g., red wine, tea, coffee), stannous fluoride
- Black: iron/silver/manganese chemicals, betel leaves
- Grey: pulp necrosis, amalgam restoration
- White: demineralization, fluorosis
- Bands of dark colors: tetracycline (this is the reason tetracycline is contraindicated for pregnant or lactating woman)
I hope that this review was helpful. In another post, there was a link to an article I wrote for DentistryIQ about teeth staining. You can view it here if you missed that one. In the article, you will also learn about intrinsic/extrinsic locations and endogenous/exogenous origins for the dental hygiene board exam (NBDHE, NDHCE, WREB, CSCS). All of those definitions will help you master this topic of staining for your school exams too! But let’s hope for pearly white teeth!
Mini Boards Reviews for the National + Local Anesthesia Dental Hygiene Boards. Weekly Sample Questions at www.StudentRDH.com. Find COMPLETE review courses too. “I wish I did not spend money on other review courses!” – Bethany, Bergen CC, March 2016