Reasons for Tooth Discoloration

A bright, white smile is something a lot of people pay good money to have if it doesn’t come naturally to them. Sparkling white teeth seem to be somewhat of a status symbol, certainly noticed as a sign of beauty, and possibly thought of as a symbol of health and wealth.

So if you don’t have naturally white teeth, what have you done wrong? The answer is, most likely you’ve done nothing wrong. There are many reasons teeth can become discolored, anywhere from aging in general to the foods we eat and the liquids we drink.

Beginning with things we can’t control, even if you had perfect white teeth as a child, you cannot reasonably expect something that works so hard for you on a daily basis to remain as healthy and strong throughout your life without some daily maintenance. And even if you do have the best oral hygiene habits around, there are still unpreventable reasons for tooth discoloration.

Age is one thing none of us have any control over that can adversely affect the color of your teeth. Genetics are also a factor; some people just have a naturally brighter tooth color than others, and some have thicker enamel that make teeth look healthier. Another factor that is hard to overcome is your environment, meaning if your local water has a high fluoride level or if you’ve been exposed to excessive fluoride treatments or supplements.

If your teeth have been exposed to some sort of trauma, such as falling down or getting hit in the mouth when you were younger and your teeth were still developing, there may be some discoloration to adult teeth.

There are even diseases that can affect the color of your teeth. These diseases affect the enamel of your teeth or the dentin. Enamel is the hard surface of your teeth and dentin is the material underneath the enamel.

Some medical treatments can also lead to tooth discoloration. Chemotherapy and radiation in the head and neck regions can cause discoloration. You can also be affected by infections and medications your mother was exposed to while she was pregnant.

Antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline have been known to affect the color of teeth when given to children younger than 8 years old. Medications for high blood pressure, anti-psychotic drugs and antihistamines have all been linked to tooth discoloration. Mouth washes that contain chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride also have the side effect or discolored teeth.

Visits to the dentist when you are exposed to amalgam restorations, especially with materials containing silver sulfides, can cause your teeth to have a gray-black discoloration to them.

There are also lifestyle choices you can make that can adversely affect the color of your teeth. Poor dental hygiene is obviously going to be a factor in how healthy your teeth and gums remain. Sub-par tooth brushing and flossing result in less plaque being removed from your teeth, allowing nasty substances to stay attached to your teeth longer than is healthy.

Drinks like soda, wine, tea and coffee can all stain your teeth. These beverages can not only stain your teeth by coming in contact with them, but if you do not brush your teeth after ingesting these drinks, the longer these substances set on your teeth the worse they can be stained. Another thing most people do not think about is how they drink their beverages. Drinking through a straw focuses a higher concentration of the liquid oftentimes onto the front teeth, thereby causing a 2-3 tooth area where a discoloring agent tends to repeatedly come into contact with.

Some fruits and vegetables also have teeth-staining abilities. One somewhat surprising fruit that could stain your teeth is the apple. Potatoes are another culprit. Tobacco use can also affect the color of your teeth, especially repeated use over the years.

If tooth discoloration is a concern talk to your dentist today!

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