Your teeth are naturally going to become less white over time. They may become yellowed or stained rather quickly, and there are several tooth discoloration causes. Knowing what those causes are can help you keep your teeth whiter longer and looking good.
Foods and Drinks
When you are younger, one of the primary causes of tooth discoloration is going to be from the foods and drinks you consume. Many foods and drinks contain dyes in them and some of the dye will get caught in the outer layer of your tooth enamel. As more dye gets trapped, your teeth will appear darker.
Several foods and drinks are more notable for their staining power. They include coffee, tea, dark sodas, wines, and dark fruit juices. Foods that will stain your teeth include tomato sauce, berries, and curry.
Tobacco
One substance that will probably stain your teeth faster than anything else is tobacco. Tobacco of any kind – smoked or smokeless – will stain the external portion of our teeth.
Medications
Various medications are another one of the tooth discoloration causes. Antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline will often discolor teeth when they are given to children before they turn 8 years old. A mouthwash such as chlorhexidine can also stain teeth, as well as some other medicines. In some cases, if the mother is given tetracycline antibiotics while pregnant, the baby’s teeth can be stained.
Disease
Some diseases can also lead to discoloration of the teeth, or the treatment for some diseases may also discolor the teeth. Cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, can cause some discoloration of the teeth.
Metal Fillings
Some larger metal fillings will cause your teeth to look gray. The color can be seen through the tooth, which means that teeth whitening cannot affect the color. To get white teeth, it will be necessary to either get dental veneers or a new crown.
Environment
One substance that is often found in water can discolor your teeth – fluoride. This mineral can strengthen your teeth when it is used in the correct amounts, but excessive amounts can discolor the teeth.
Age
As you grow older, the enamel on your teeth tends to grow thinner. This occurs because the acid in your mouth and in the foods you eat will slowly erode the enamel away, leaving tiny pits and holes in it. The thinner it gets, the more that the color underneath the enamel will show through your teeth. The layer called dentin is a dark yellow.
Preventing Discoloration
Staying away from the above substances can help your teeth to stay white longer. Some tooth colors are removed more easily than other colors by teeth whitening. Stains on composite bonding materials or porcelain cannot be whitened.
When your teeth have common tooth discoloration causes, you can contact the dentists at North View Dental in Ogden, Utah for teeth whitening. They also perform cosmetic dentistry to get your teeth looking their best. Contact them today, or visit their comfortable and professional office, to schedule a consultation to learn more about how to get your teeth looking white again.
