WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF TOOTH DISCOLORATION?

There are various things that can cause your teeth to lose their shine. Tooth discoloration can turn your snowy-white teeth into several colors or you may also notice spots in many places of your teeth.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

• Foods/drinks. Tea, coffee, colas, popsicles, sauces, wines, or chocolates, are known as the greatest villains of teeth staining. Even certain fruits and vegetables for example berries, apples, and potatoes can stain your teeth’ enamel. 

However, we do not advise you totally, to stop eating these kinds of foods. But just stay aware and have these foods in moderation. And always make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth thoroughly after your meals.  

• Tobacco– Smoking and chewing tobacco can greatly transform your teeth’ color into black or brown.
• Poor dental hygiene– When you do not brush, floss, or rinse in a correct manner to wash away stain-producing substances, it can slowly cause discoloration. Also, whenever you skip your routine dental cleanings, you allow your stains to gradually form.
• Disease–  Health conditions like liver disease, calcium deficiency, metabolic diseases, and eating disorders highly affect the tooth enamel and may gradually change your tooth color. Neck radiation and chemotherapy may also lead to teeth stains and discoloration.
• Medications– The antibiotics for example tetracycline and doxycycline stain teeth when given to kids whose teeth are still slowly developing. Antipsychotic drugs, a few mouth rinses, containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride may also lead to staining of teeth.

• Dental materials– Certain materials used in dentistry, for example, amalgam restorations, may cause a gray-black color to your teeth.
• Aging– Aging makes the outer layer of your enamel slowly erode. And then, it gradually exposes the color of your dentin.
• Genetics-At times, your heredity may also be one of the major causes for your teeth’ color!
• Environment– Excessive fluoride from water, fluoride-containing toothpaste, mouth rinses, or even other supplements may also be responsible for teeth discoloration.
• Trauma– Damage from a fall can also hamper the enamel formation in toddlers whose teeth are developing. It may even result in discoloration of adult teeth.

Tooth discoloration types

• Yellow: Aging may be responsible for your white enamel to wear off. The yellow core which is the dentin of teeth grows more visible.
• Brown:  Tobacco, dark beverages, and improper brushing habits can transform your teeth into brown.
• White: As young teeth grow, excessive fluoride can result in white spots. 
• Black: Tooth or tooth pulp necrosis may covert your teeth to grayish or black color. Fillings and crowns that are composed of silver sulfide can also result in black teeth. Exposure to minerals for example manganese, iron, or silver can make a black line on your pearly whites.
• Purple: Red wine can transform your teeth into a purplish color.

Treatments

Treatments may differ as it depends upon the cause of your tooth discoloration. This includes:

• Purchasing an in-home whitening kit from a reliable dentist or in-office whitening.
• Tooth Bonding method. 
• Veneers procedure. 

However, if you utilize over-the-counter whitening items, without the advice of the dentist, it can irritate your gums, whereas Professional in-office treatments are very safe and produce unbelievable results. However, your dentist will recommend whether teeth whitening will work best for you.

Get the Help you need!

Now, if you’re in search of the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Alberta and nearby areas, then surely visit us at West Olds Dental. Our dentist provides the best Teeth Whitening service in Alberta. We are eager to meet you and see your dazzling smile. Call us today or you can book an appointment online.