Discolored and stained teeth can lend a more aged appearance and be the cause of embarrassment for many patients. Cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr. Brent Engelberg offers a range of treatment options to brighten your smile and restore a more youthful look. Your treatment will depend on the root cause of your tooth staining and your desired result.
Common Reasons for Discolored Teeth
Discolored teeth are a common problem that can affect your smile and self-confidence. There are many reasons why teeth may become stained or yellow over time. Knowing the causes can help you take steps to prevent discoloration and keep your teeth looking bright and healthy.
1. Food and Drink
Certain foods and drinks are major culprits when it comes to tooth discoloration. Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and cola are known for staining teeth due to their dark pigments. These pigments stick to the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth, causing it to darken over time. Foods such as berries, tomato sauce, and soy sauce can stain teeth. Regular consumption of these items can lead to noticeable discoloration.
2. Tobacco Use
Smoking or chewing tobacco is another leading cause of discolored teeth. Tobacco contains chemicals like nicotine and tar that cause yellow or brown stains on the enamel. Smokers often experience more severe staining, as the chemicals in tobacco can penetrate the tooth enamel, leading to deep, persistent discoloration. Quitting smoking or avoiding tobacco use is one of the best ways to prevent these stains and improve your oral health overall.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene
Neglecting proper oral hygiene can also result in discolored teeth. Failing to brush and floss regularly allows plaque and food particles to build up on the teeth, which can lead to staining. Over time, plaque accumulation hardens into tartar, a yellow or brown substance that is difficult to remove without professional cleaning. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential to prevent these stains.
4. Aging
As you age, your teeth naturally become more prone to discoloration. Over the years, the enamel on your teeth wears down, making the yellowish dentin layer underneath more visible. Dentin is the tooth’s inner layer, and as it becomes exposed, teeth appear more yellow. Additionally, older adults may experience more staining from the foods and drinks they consume due to the thinner enamel.
5. Medications
Certain medications can cause teeth to become discolored as a side effect. For example, antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline can cause tooth discoloration, especially in developing children. Other medications, such as antihistamines, high blood pressure drugs, and chemotherapy treatments, may also lead to changes in tooth color.
6. Fluoride Overexposure
While fluoride is beneficial for preventing tooth decay, too much can cause fluorosis. This occurs when teeth are exposed to excessive fluoride during childhood, leading to white or brown spots on the enamel. Fluorosis is typically caused by consuming too much fluoride from water, toothpaste, or supplements during the early years when teeth are still forming.
7. Genetics
Genetics can play a role in tooth color. Some people naturally have thicker or thinner enamel, which affects the appearance of their teeth. If you have thinner enamel, the yellow dentin layer underneath is more likely to show, making your teeth appear more yellow. Inherited conditions can also affect how teeth develop and how susceptible they are to staining.
8. Trauma
Injuries to the teeth can lead to discoloration, especially if the damage affects the tooth’s inner layers. Trauma to a tooth can cause the dentin to darken or produce more dentin, leading to a grayish or yellowish appearance. In some cases, trauma can even result in a dead tooth, which may turn dark over time.
Treatment Options for Discolored Teeth in Arlington Heights, IL
For patients with otherwise healthy teeth, Zoom teeth whitening can remove stains from common lifestyle habits and the natural darkening that occurs with aging. Dr. Engelberg offers an in-office treatment that can provide dramatic results for most patients with little to no side effects, such as increased sensitivity. Dr. Engelberg also offers a customized take-home option, which can be used alone for a more gradual result or after your Zoom in-office treatment to maximize and maintain a bright, white smile.
Suppose it is determined that a tooth whitening treatment is not an option for your specific type of tooth discoloration or cosmetic needs. In that case, Dr. Engelberg may recommend a cosmetic dental procedure that can provide more permanent results:
- Tooth bonding: for white spots that are often difficult to treat, cosmetic tooth bonding may be used to resurface the tooth and provide an even color tone
- Dental veneers: using porcelain or minimal-prep veneers, Dr. Engelberg can make over a dull, discolored smile
- Dental crowns: for a single stained tooth, a dental crown can be color-matched to your remaining teeth for an aesthetic result
Discolored Teeth FAQs
Why do teeth turn discolored after an injury?
After dental trauma, you may notice that your tooth appears grey or brown. A tooth injury can affect the pulp within the tooth. The dental pulp comprises blood vessels and nerves that keep teeth alive. Damage to the pulp may lead to tooth discoloration when bleeding within the tooth affects the tooth surface.
How do antihistamines cause teeth discoloration?
Antihistamines can reduce saliva production, making it more difficult to remove staining substances from teeth. Saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria, so taking allergy medicines can increase the risk of tooth stains.
Do I have discolored teeth because of a vitamin deficiency?
Lacking Vitamin B12 or Vitamin D can cause yellow or discolored teeth. Vitamin B12 helps fight plaque and tartar that build up on the teeth. If you lack B12, you can experience discolored teeth due to bacterial buildup. Vitamin D can help prevent gum disease. Low levels of Vitamin D can contribute to brown or yellowed teeth.
Why are worn teeth discolored?
If you experience tooth wear, you may notice that your worn teeth are a different color than others. As the outer layer of your teeth wears down, it exposes dentin. Dentin is an underlayer that is a darker color than the enamel. Worn teeth appear darker because of the dentin.
Why are there white spots on my teeth?
White discoloration on teeth can be a sign of demineralization. Demineralization occurs when your teeth lose natural minerals that keep teeth strong. Fluoride can help restore natural minerals to your enamel. Children can also experience fluorosis or overexposure to fluoride, creating white teeth spots.
How does sugar cause tooth discoloration?
Consuming sugary foods and drinks can contribute to discolored teeth. Harmful bacteria feed on sugars left in the mouth. Over time, a bacterial film called plaque can cover and discolor the teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Are you ready for a confidence boost with a bright, white smile? Call our office at (847) 230-9703 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Engelberg and learn more about your treatment options.
Arlington Heights Smiles serves many local communities near you, including Long Grove, Deerfield, Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, and many other local Chicago suburbs.