Discolored teeth affect our beautiful smiles and can cause us to feel embarrassed about the appearance of our teeth. There are numerous reasons that cause the teeth to lose their vibrant white color. It is important to identify the underlying causes for discolouration in order to develop an effective treatment plan to restore an exceptional smile.
Food and Beverages
The foods we eat and the beverages we drink could potentially cause staining and discolored teeth. Let’s look at some of the more common ones.
Teas
Teas contain two ingredients that can alter the color of your teeth, namely tannins and acids. The tannins are a natural plant-based substance which can increase staining on the teeth. The acids in tea cause the protective enamel to weaken and make it less resilient to staining.
Coffee
Coffee also contains acids which attack the enamel, as well as chromogens. Chromogens are commonly found in dark coloured beverages and foods due to colorized pigments and stick easily to teeth.
Carbonated Beverages
Sodas can contain corn syrup, sugars, and citric acids, all which cause tooth decay and weakens the teeths ability to resist staining and cavities.
Dark Coloured Fruits and Vegetables
These types of fruits and vegetables could contain chromogens and tannins, as well as acids, which all can lead to stains.
Dentin Discolouration
Dentin is located inside the tooth and sometimes changes in color and eventually starts to show through the exterior of the tooth. Dentin can change colors from a variety of factors and causes including Aging. As we get older, the dentin starts to turn yellow. Accident Impacts to the teeth while they are developing can cause the dentin to discolor.
Certain Medications
Tetracycline is a common one and has been known to affect the color of the dentin.
Excessive Exposure to Fluoride
Too much fluoride during childhood development can cause the dentin to change color.
Rare Dental Conditions
The most common one is very rare and is called dentinogenesis imperfecta.
Tobacco Usage
Using tobacco products on a regular basis can cause the teeth to become discolored,stain, and increase risks for gingivitis and periodontal disease, as well as different types of cancers.
Maintaining a Beautiful Smile
The easiest way to maintain a bright, white smile is with regular visits to GLOJAS dental clinic. The professional cleanings performed at these visits helps remove stains. In some cases, having your teeth cleaned more than twice a year could be beneficial to help manage external staining concerns. To address yellowish looking teeth caused on the outside of the tooth, teeth whitening can be recommended. For discolouration caused by the dentin, there are several viable solutions, such as veneers or amalgam free fillings.
To learn more about how to keep your teeth white or other dental services, please feel free to call GLOJAS Dental today to schedule a FREE consultation!