6 Tooth Discoloration Causes (and What to Do About It!)
Teeth discoloration is a condition that occurs when your pearly whites begin to change color. It can come in the form of spots, or the entire tooth could turn a different shade.
Discoloration is a common oral health problem that’s no real concern. There are a million tooth discoloration causes, and none of them are fatal.
It does put a damper on one’s self-esteem, however. It’s hard to smile in pictures when you feel insecure about your teeth.
The good news is that there’s a way to turn your situation around. Check out this guide to learn about the different causes of tooth discoloration and find out what you can do about them.
1. Poor Dental Hygiene
One of the main causes of yellow teeth is poor dental hygiene. If your oral health routine is non-existent, that would be the source of your issue.
When you don’t brush and floss every day, food particles sit on your teeth. Depending on what you ate, it can cause stains to form. It’s sort of like when you knock a glass of red wine over on a white rug.
Those food particles can also cause bacteria to gather on the surface of your teeth. This bacteria eats away at the enamel. After a while, it will reveal the layer underneath the enamel known as dentin.
Dentin is naturally a yellowish-brown color. If it’s allowed to show through, it will make your teeth appear to have the same nasty shade.
2. Your Diet
Certain foods are worse about staining your teeth than others. The biggest culprits are coffee, red wine, soda, tea, and certain sugary juice drinks.
Due to acidy levels, even foods that are good for you can do a number on your pearly whites. Some examples include, blueberries, beets, cherries, citrus fruit, cranberries, tomatoes, and raspberries.
3. Cigarette Use
When it comes to keeping your pearly whites looking great, cigarettes are a huge no-no. The chemicals found in tobacco products increase your risk of gum disease.
On top of that, smoking can yellow your teeth in no time. Those who have been using cigarettes for a while may even find their teeth turning a brown color due to tobacco stains.
4. Aging
As you age, your tooth enamel begins to wear down. This happens no matter how well you take care of your teeth.
After a while, the layer of dentin under your enamel will begin to shine through. Again, because dentin is yellow, it will cause your teeth to appear the same color.
5. Medications
There are a great number of medications that can cause tooth discoloration. Antidepressants, antihistamines, and high blood pressure medicines are common culprits.
If you were exposed to tetracycline or doxycycline before the age of 8, that might be the root of your issue. Even certain mouth rinses can cause your pearly whites to change colors.
6. Diseases
Many diseases such as eating disorders, celiac disease, liver disease, and calcium deficiency can discolor your teeth. Cancer doesn’t cause the problem directly.
The problem is the treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy can have a huge impact on the color of your teeth. Neck radiation can also pose a threat to your teeth.
It’s possible for someone to have discolored teeth at birth. Infections found in pregnant mothers can impact their baby’s enamel development.
Brush Your Teeth
Now you might be wondering how to prevent tooth discoloration. It starts with your oral health routine. You should floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day.
All it takes is a pea-sized drop of toothpaste to do the trick. Insert the bush into your mouth at a 45-degree angle. Use gentle circular strokes to go over the front of your teeth.
After you do that, move on to the outside surfaces. Be sure to reach all the way back to get those molars. Now it’s time to show the inside surface of your teeth some love, and don’t forget about your tongue.
The entire process should take around two minutes. If you’re bad at keeping time mentally, you can play a song on your phone or set a timer.
Professional Whitening
You can buy stick-on whitening strips that you apply at home, but they don’t always do the trick. Sometimes you need to get professional teeth bleaching near me.
There are a variety of ways your dentist may go about it. They can use the heat from a special light or apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to your teeth.
Dental Bonding
Another way your dentist can whiten your smile is with dental bonding. They’ll apply a special resin to the surface of your teeth. After that, they’ll harden it using the heat from a light.
This process doesn’t only make your teeth appear whiter. It also strengthens their entire structure.
Dental Veneers
Your dentist can make custom shells to cover the front of your teeth known as dental veneers. They improve the appearance of your smile by altering the shape of your teeth and making them appear whiter.
As a word of caution, veneers are pretty fragile. You can break them by chomping down on a hard bite of food.
Common Tooth Discoloration Causes to Keep In Mind
For the most part, you can live a pretty normal life with discolored teeth. It’s not an immediate cause for concern, but it can lower a person’s self-esteem.
The good news is that while there are many tooth discoloration causes, there are as many cures. Talk to your dentist about getting your teeth whitened today. For more tips that will help you take care of your smile, visit the Get Healthy section of our blog.