What are the reason for tooth discoloration?

Tooth discoloration is abnormal tooth color, hue or translucency. External discoloration is accumulation of stains on the tooth surface. Internal discoloration is due to absorption of pigment particles into tooth structure. Sometimes there are several different co-existent factors responsible for discoloration.

There are several causes of tooth discoloration, including:

• Foods/drinks – Foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee, tea, and spaghetti sauce can all contribute to tooth staining. Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco all contain ingredients that will stick to the tiny pores in teeth and create a dark or brownish appearance.
• Tobacco use – The main cause of dental staining for smokers is nicotine and tar. The nicotine and tar from smoking seeps into the tooth’s enamel through tiny pores, leaving the teeth discolored. The tar adds a brown tinge to the teeth while the nicotine, when combined with oxygen, causes yellowing.
• Poor dental hygiene – Forgetting to brush and floss your teeth can cause plaque and food stains to build up. Skipping professional dental cleanings can also allow stains to start.
• Disease – Certain diseases can impact your tooth color, such as liver disease, calcium deficiency, eating disorders, and celiac disease.
• Medications – The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before age 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth.
• Dental materials – Tooth discoloration after endodontic treatment is frequently attributed to drugs and filling materials. Durelon, Fuji ionomer, Fletcher’s cement, and zinc phosphate cement did not induce measurable tooth discoloration.
• Aging – tooth darkening occurs as a natural effect of aging. As we get older, the outer hard tissue covering our teeth, called enamel, wears away and exposes the darker dentin beneath it. This can cause our teeth to appear more gray or yellow rather than white.
• Genetics – there are two genetic conditions known for causing inherent staining in teeth. This includes dentinogenesis imperfecta and amelogenesis imperfecta.

Tooth discoloration can cause significant cosmetic problem especially when it affects the anterior teeth, which is usually exposed when a patient smiles. Anterior tooth discoloration is one of the most frequent reasons for seeking dental treatment.

Only natural enamel teeth can be whitened, and only then if the cause is something your dentist considers reversible.

Eating fibrous vegetables like celery, broccoli, onions, garlic, and carrots creates a crunching action that works to eliminate the presence of plaque buildup and naturally whiten teeth. Broccoli contains high amounts of iron, which naturally protects enamel, and carrots contain vitamin A.

Baking soda has natural whitening properties and has been shown to be effective at removing stains on your teeth and whitening your smile. That’s why it’s a popular ingredient in many commercial toothpastes.

Yet another great fruit that works also as a great teeth whitener is lemon. Lemons contain high acid level in the peel, which is a great whitener or even bleaching agent. You can use the lemon in two different ways; use the lemon peel to rub on your teeth or squirt the lemon juice on your teeth.

Most tooth whiteners use one of two chemical agents: carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (the same stuff that will bleach your hair). When used in the mouth, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea, with hydrogen peroxide being the active whitening ingredient.

Professional (in-office) teeth whitening is the fastest and most effective teeth whitening option. The procedure takes only up to an hour and can whiten your teeth two to eight shades lighter, with results that last up to five years.

One hydrogen peroxide-based product many dentists prefer is Opalescence Boost. The main ingredient in Opalescence Boost is a gel that contains roughly 38% hydrogen peroxide. This is what whitens and brightens the teeth.