Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration

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It is almost impossible to maintain your teeth well enough to have a naturally dazzling white smile throughout your lifetime. There are many reasons why this is unattainable, and many of the factors involved are not related to the kinds of food you eat on a daily basis.

“Many of my patients don’t realize that stained or discolored teeth is not just a result of drinking coffee too much or smoking,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a cosmetic dentist in Reedley, California. “There are many causes of stained or discolored teeth, including genetics, medications, and diseases in addition to foods, drinks, and tobacco use.”

Genetics, Aging and Tooth Enamel
For some people, genetics have a major role in why their teeth are not as naturally bright or white as other people. Just as your DNA determines your eye and hair color, it also determines the color of your enamel. If your parents have naturally bright white or yellow teeth, chances are that you will have a similar shade.

Aside from the natural shade of your enamel, there are other genetically predisposed factors that can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Enamel defects like microscopic pits, fissures. and other surface abnormalities can make the teeth susceptible to the accumulation of staining foods, drinks, or tobacco. When your enamel naturally wears down with age, the yellow-colored tooth structure underneath will also begin to show through.

A genetic salivary dysfunction can also contribute to staining because saliva is a key component in naturally removing plaque and food debris from your tooth surfaces. If you do not produce as much saliva as you should, your first line of defense against staining is greatly weakened, and you will need to greatly accelerate your dental hygiene routine to avoid staining.

Diseases and Medications that Affect Your Teeth
Many diseases and daily medications for common ailments can have an affect on the color of your teeth over time. There are diseases that can directly cause tooth discoloration (like enamel diseases) and there are diseases that can indirectly cause discoloration through their affect on your dental health or the medications you must take to control their symptoms.

For example, the onset of diabetes can cause your periodontal (gum) health to deteriorate more rapidly than for those without the disease. When your periodontal health is compromised, the bacteria, plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth increases, eventually leading to stains.

Many medications also increase tooth discoloration. Common anti-psychotic, anti-depressants, and acne medications such as tetracycline cause discoloration of the teeth. In addition, medications that dry out your mouth can lead to discoloration because they affect the amount of saliva helping to naturally wash away food particles from your mouth.

The Solution: Professionally Whitening Your Teeth
If your teeth are stained due to any of the reasons mentioned above, you may be a good candidate for professional tooth whitening. Depending on the cause of your stained teeth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend professionally whitening your teeth in an office environment or using an at-home whitening kit. You will need to tell your cosmetic dentist if you suffer from a disease or take a medication that has impacted your dental health. This information is critical in determining the best long-term tooth whitening strategy for you.

Contact an experienced cosmetic dentist near you today if you would like to gain or restore a dazzling white smile. No matter what the cause of your stained or discolored teeth, a cosmetic dentist will help you find a tooth whitening solution for you.

Source: The Different Causes of Tooth Discoloration

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