Top 5 Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Do you have tooth discoloration, but you aren’t sure why?

Worried about the effects and if it’s dangerous for your oral health? While mild tooth stains don’t cause health issues, the greater discoloration can lead to complications.

Luckily, we have a guide to the root causes to help you discover the problem.

Keep reading to learn what causes yellow teeth, brown teeth, and more.

1. Smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of tooth discoloration.

The tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products contains several harmful chemicals that can stain and discolor teeth. Tobacco use can also cause other oral health problems, such as gum disease and bad breath.

2. Poor Oral Hygiene

One of the most common causes of tooth discoloration is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, plaque and tartar can build up on your teeth, causing them to become discolored.

When plaque and tartar are not removed from the teeth regularly, they can cause the teeth to become discolored. Poor oral hygiene can also cause the gums to become discolored.

3. Aging

Tooth discoloration is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. One is aging.

As we age, our teeth naturally begin to yellow. This is due to the wearing away of the outer enamel layer, exposing the inner dentin layer.

Our teeth gradually become darker due to the breakdown of tooth enamel. This process is called external tooth discoloration.

4. Certain Medications

There are many causes of tooth discoloration, but certain medications are a common culprit.

Some of the medications that can cause tooth stains are tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, amoxicillin, and erythromycin. All of these antibiotics can cause dental staining if they are taken during tooth development.

Even if they are taken after age 8, they can still cause some discoloration. The staining can be yellow, brown, or gray and is usually permanent.

To avoid this type of tooth discoloration, it is important to talk to your dentist about any medications you are taking. If you are taking any of these medications, be sure to brush and floss regularly to help prevent staining.

5. Food and Drinks

Food and drinks can also be a cause of teeth discoloration. Coffee, tea, and red wine are all common culprits of staining teeth, most especially when they are consumed regularly.

Other foods like berries and beets can also cause teeth to become discolored.  On the other hand, soy sauce contains molecules that can stick to your teeth and cause discoloration.

Visit your dentist and ask for more information on how you can avoid tooth discoloration.

How to Avoid Tooth Discoloration

Teeth can become discolored for many reasons. Some common causes are smoking, certain foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, and aging.

To help prevent tooth discoloration, brush and floss daily, see your dentist for regular cleanings, and avoid smoking and consuming stain-causing foods and drinks.

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