Many dental patients find themselves longing for a bright, white smile. However, achieving the bright smile you’ve always dreamed of can be incredibly difficult, especially if you’re struggling with tooth discoloration. If your teeth look more yellow, brown, or even grayish, you may wonder what’s causing the change.
There are several reasons why you can experience tooth discoloration, ranging from dietary choices to underlying health conditions. Treating the discoloration can be difficult if you don’t understand why you’re experiencing it. If you’re dealing with discoloration, keep reading to learn some common causes and how you can address it to achieve your dream smile.
1. Food and Beverages
One major reason why you may be experiencing tooth discoloration is because of your diet. While foods like curry, pasta sauce, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce are a delicious addition to your meals, they do have the ability to stain your teeth. Couple these foods with tooth-staining beverages like coffee, tea, and wine, and you have a recipe for discoloration, especially as you maintain this diet.
2. Improper Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene does more than ensure you have healthy teeth and gums. It also plays a role in the color of your teeth. If you disregard everyday oral hygiene, you’ll inevitably experience plaque buildup, which may lead to gum disease and cavity development. If you deal with cavities, you put yourself at risk of dealing with tooth discoloration. You may notice brown, black, or white stains as your teeth decay.
3. Tobacco Use
The tar and nicotine in your tobacco products are incredibly harmful to your overall health and may be the reason why you’re experiencing tooth discoloration. Smoking and chewing tobacco are the leading offenders, but any tobacco use puts you at risk of discoloring your teeth. Many long-time tobacco users experience yellowing of their teeth, but in more extreme cases, it isn’t uncommon for people to notice brown stains.
4. Certain Medications
Some prescription medications can cause tooth discoloration. The medications that are known for this discoloration include tetracycline, doxycycline, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, and radiation medications. If you believe you’re experiencing discoloration from medications, you may want to speak to your doctor about this side effect and whether there are alternatives you may take instead.
5. Genetics
While you may do everything in your power to ensure your teeth are bright, there are some things your oral care routine can’t overcome, like genetics. Some people are born with thicker enamel. However, if you have thinner enamel, this may leave the dentin beneath easily exposed. As you get older and your enamel thins, your teeth may begin to appear more yellow than they once did.
6. Fluorosis
Fluoride is a crucial dental ingredient to strengthen your teeth. However, it is important that you avoid overusing it, as overuse may lead to fluorosis. Individuals with fluorosis may deal with brown, gray, or white spots on their teeth. Unlike some other forms of tooth discoloration, it is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse this staining. To avoid this, it is best to speak to your dentist about how much fluoride you should use.
7. Dental Trauma
Some dental traumas, like falls and collisions, are known for causing discoloration. This tooth discoloration is most commonly associated with injuries deep within the tooth, leading to internal bleeding or nerve damage. Sometimes, the tooth may turn gray, which indicates a lack of blood flow. In some cases, the discoloration may go away. However, it is best to visit your dentist after experiencing dental trauma to ensure the strength and well-being of your tooth.
8. Enamel Erosion
If you grind your teeth, brush too hard, or have a medical condition like GERD, you are more susceptible than other dental patients to experience enamel erosion. As mentioned above, worn-down enamel exposes the dentin beneath, leading to an increase in teeth yellowing. If you experience any of these problems, it is best to speak to your dentist about how to address it before it leads to significant discoloration.
How to Treat and Prevent Tooth Discoloration
While this tooth discoloration can be distressing, there are a few easy things you can do to keep your teeth bright. Some of the easiest ways to prevent discoloration include:
- Maintain Great Oral Hygiene: The easiest way to prevent discoloration is by maintaining good oral hygiene. You should brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once daily. This routine helps you prevent plaque buildup and the accompanying oral health conditions.
- Discontinue Tobacco Use: While your teeth may not be the only reason you give up tobacco products, they are a great advantage. By discontinuing the use of tobacco products, you can eliminate the consumption of nicotine and tar that may otherwise stain your teeth.
- Schedule Dental Cleanings: If you believe you’re dealing with tooth discoloration due to an injury or oral health condition, dental cleanings can help you identify this. After identifying the problem, your dentist can help you create a treatment plan to slow or eliminate signs of discoloration.
- Consider Cosmetic Dentistry: If standard dental treatments aren’t sufficient enough to address discoloration, you may want to consider some cosmetic dentistry. For individuals with fluorosis, veneers are a great option. Other patients may be able to achieve their desired appearance with professional teeth whitening.
Helping You Achieve Your Dream Smile
No matter why you’re experiencing tooth discoloration, it is essential to work with a reliable dental team like our team at North View Dental. For 25 years, our team has provided the most comprehensive dental care to patients across the Ogden area and beyond. Whether you want to schedule dental cleanings or are considering cosmetic dentistry, our team is always here and ready to help.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your discoloration, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.
