Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Not everyone has pearly white teeth. Some people are born with a slight color to their teeth, and some people have teeth that has become stained and discolored over time. Discoloration can occur when the outer layer of the tooth becomes stained. There are many ways in which your teeth can become discolored.

Certain food and drinks can stain your teeth, as can tobacco use. There are also several diseases that can affect enamel and can lead to tooth discoloration. Certain treatments can affect the color of teeth as well, such as head and neck radiation and chemotherapy. Some medications and antibiotics can also stain teeth. Some dental materials, such as silver sulfide-containing materials can make teeth look grey. Also, advanced age can affect the outer layer of teeth. As the enamel gets worn away, the natural yellow color underneath gets revealed.

One of these causes that is fairly common is the food and drinks we consume. During chewing, millions of micro-cracks form in the enamel. These cracks can eventually fill up with debris and stains. When we eat or drink highly pigmented foods, the pigments in them can become trapped in these cracks in the tooth enamel. Dark drinks such as coffee, tea, cola, and wine can cause stains in the tooth’s enamel layer. Highly pigmented foods like blueberries, cherries, and soy sauce can also stain teeth.

While food and drink cause surface stains on teeth, there are certain factors can contribute to some people being more susceptible to teeth discoloration than others. Some people have microscopic pits and fissures that can accumulate stain-producing food. Saliva plays a major role in removing food debris, so people with a decreased saliva output can have more discoloration. The most common cause of staining, however, is poor dental hygiene.

To prevent teeth from getting discolored, you can make sure to brush and floss regularly after every meal, especially when consuming dark foods. In general, if the food could stain your clothes, then it could possibly stain your teeth. Using an ultrasonic toothbrush can help because it does a better job at removing excess food than a manual toothbrush does. Going to the dentist regularly also helps prevent tooth discoloration.

If your teeth do become discolored, you can always have them whitened. Teeth whitening removes the stains and debris from the enamel’s micro-cracks. To whiten teeth, a peroxide-type chemical is applied to the teeth. The chemical goes through the enamel and uses its oxidizing properties to whiten teeth.

There are different ways to apply the chemical to whiten your teeth. The three main ways are professional in-office whitening, professional dispensed at-home whitening kits, and over-the-counter whitening.

In-office whitening yields a significant color change in a short period of time. This is often the most expensive method, but the most effective. It involves using a high-concentration peroxide gel that is applied to the teeth by a dentist or a trained technician. A dentist will typically pull back a patient’s lips so that the gums and teeth are clearly visible. The dentist will often use a shield in the patient’s gums so that they peroxide chemical will not irritate them. Generally, the peroxide will remain on the teeth for several 15-20 minutes that can add up to an hour. In between these intervals, the dentist will check the patient’s teeth to see if the patient needs to wait additional time, receive another application of peroxide, or if the whitening process is done. The peroxide can be used in combination with a laser or a special light. The light and heat can accelerate the whitening process.

Professionally dispensed at-home whitening kits use a lower-concentration peroxide gel than the in-office ones do. These can remain on your teeth for an hour or longer. The lower the concentration, the longer it can safely be left on your teeth. Since these are professionally dispensed, the gel is administered to your teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that are made to fit your mouth.

Over-the-counter whitening methods are the least expensive. These also have the lowest concentration of the three whitening methods. There are three different ways over-the-counter whitening agents can be applied. The gel can be applied with trays, but unlike the professionally dispensed kits, these trays are one-size-fits-all. If you choose this method, try to find a kit that has a moldable mouthpiece. Whitening strips and paint on applicators are also available, but these can sometimes only whiten the fronts of teeth.

There are some risks involved in whitening your teeth that you should be aware of. Whitening can cause temporary increase in sensitivity to temperature, pressure, and touch. This occurs more commonly with in-office whitening, since the concentration of the chemical used is higher. Individuals with gum recession or cracks in their teeth are at greatest risk for sensitivity to teeth whitening. This sensitivity usually lasts a day or two, but in rare cases, can last up to a month. Some people also experience some gum sensitivity after teeth whitening, but as with teeth sensitivity, it does not last long.

Once your teeth have been whitened, you can extend the longevity of your new color. Dentists will most likely recommend that you do at-home maintenance. They will also tell you to avoid dark colored food and drinks for at least a week, and when possible, sip dark colored beverages through a straw. And as always, make sure to brush your teeth after eating and drinking.

Teeth discoloration is not uncommon, and there are many different ways that teeth can become stained. The best way to avoid staining is practicing good oral hygiene. However, of your teeth already are, or do, become discolored, there are a few methods of getting them white again.