Tooth discoloration may result when the color of your teeth changes. It can be caused by different reasons. Teeth become less in brightness like the natural teeth. You can experience different types of teeth discoloration, such as spots on teeth, or turn your overall teeth from white to yellow or in any other color.
There are different reasons for tooth discoloration, such as intrinsic, aging or it could be extrinsic.
Let’s explore some reasons for tooth discoloration.
Causes of the Tooth Discoloration
Smoking:
Periodontists in Lahore say that people who chew tobacco or smoke are at high risk of developing stains on their teeth. Studies say that tobacco affects the teeth’ color and turns the color into yellow or even marker if you do not quit smoking.
Some Specific Foods and Drinks:
You often hear that vegetables and fruits are beneficial for your overall health but do you know that some of them like potatoes and apples can stain your teeth?
Yes, they can stain your teeth as well. After eating such foods, you should drink water to remove the particles from your teeth. Some beverages can also affect the teeth’ brightness and cause stains.
Excessive consumption of tea, coffee, and wines can stain your teeth as well.
Disease:
Some diseases that cause damage to enamel and dentin may result in tooth discoloration. Chemotherapy for both the neck and head also affects the color of the teeth. During pregnancy, women also experience some conditions that lead to stained teeth.
Dental materials:
Some dental materials are also responsible for staining teeth. These materials include amalgam restoration that can stain your teeth. Silver sulfide-containing material can also leave gray-black color to teeth.
Genetics:
Some people have thick enamel.
Trauma:
In young children, it is normal to have falls which can affect enamel formation. It happens because the enamel formation in these kids gets disturbed due to falls or any such accident.
Studies support the fact that trauma can cause changes in the color of teeth in adults.
Poor hygiene:
People who do not brush properly or avoid doing it before bed are at risk of developing many dental diseases. No flossing leaves food particles in the teeth that can turn into stain-producing substances.
Poor dental hygiene can cause serious problems that can result in tooth loss.
Aging:
Aging does affect your overall health, including your dental health. Experts explain that the outer layer of the enamel wears away as you age. Once it starts wearing away, it reveals the original color of dentin.
Environment:
Teeth discoloration can occur when your teeth get exposed to excessive fluoride. It may happen from environmental sources. Some people use fluoride-containing solutions, such as toothpaste, and supplements.
Medications:
Some medicine can also affect the color of your teeth. For example, children who take medication like doxycycline or antibiotics tetracycline during the developing period can experience tooth discoloration. Dentists also say that mouthwash contains cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine chloride. Such medicine stains the teeth.
The use of color can also cause teeth discoloration, including white, brown, black, yellow, and purple.
Dark color beverages and the use of tobacco can result in tooth decay and may cause brown teeth in color.
During young teeth development, excessive fluoride can lead to white spots on the teeth. Such white spot process is known as fluorosis. It happens when your teeth get exposed to excessive fluoride as it may be caused when you drink too much water.
Betel nuts chewing can also turn your teeth color into black. Some minerals’ exposure can also result in black lines on your teeth, such as silver, iron, or magnesium.
How to Prevent Tooth Discoloration?
There are different ways that you can follow to prevent changes in teeth color. No matter what food or beverage you are enjoying, you need to brush or rinse your mouth. Some stain makers that you need to avoid include soda, soy sauce, tomato sauce, beets, coffee or tea, red and white wines, cranberry juice, blueberries, etc.
People who smoke or drink coffee should stop as it continuously makes changes in tooth color. You should use a straw while drinking iced coffee, juice, or soda. Doctors always suggest practicing good hygiene. Visit your dentist after half of the year to check if there are any symptoms.
