Dr. David Jacoel D.M.D |
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Discolored Teeth
A nice white smile is something we are all born with but through out our lives we make food choices that cost us that white pearly finish. Foods with deep color or harsh ingredients leave a film on your teeth or penetrate your teeth and cause deep stains in the enamel. Medication for illnesses are another common cause of discolored teeth.
Most people have a clear colorless sticky layer covering their tooth enamel called the protein pellicle. Food stains stick to this protein pellicle and build up to cause darkening and discoloration of the teeth.
Fortunately we now have tooth whitening as an option for dealing with the ravages of time and the consumption of these foods.
Especially damaging to your teeth are:
- Foods like soy sauce, berries, curry, coffee, red wine, colas, tea, certain fruits and vegetables easily stain teeth.
- Extremely hot or cold liquids. These are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth. This temperature change (hot and cold cycling) causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth.
- Foods that are slightly acidic. These foods open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to more easily move into your teeth.
- Tobacco (smoking or chewing). This is one of the biggest culprits in ruining white smiles.
Other Factors That Can Discolor Teeth;
- Poor dental hygiene: Inadequate brushing or a lack of flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration.
- Disease: Several diseases and infections that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the material under enamel) formation can lead to tooth discoloration in infants before they are born and children. In addition, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration in adults and chidren who receive the treatment.
- Medications: The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain your teeth. Other medications that can cause teeth discoloration are Antihistamines (like Contact or Benadryl), anti psychotic drugs, and antihypertensive medications.
- Dental materials: Dental materials, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to your teeth.
- Aging: As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth wears away revealing dentin which has a natural yellow color.
- Genes: Some people are genetically inclined to have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others. As well some people have naturally darker teeth than others.
- Environment: Excessive fluoride can cause tooth discoloration. Fluoride is added to most of our water sources, so we drink it everyday without knowing it, but when a person adds considerably more fluoride to their regimen in the form of fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth this can lead to discoloration problems in their teeth.
- Trauma: Enamel formation can be disturbed in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.
How Can I Prevent Teeth Discoloration?
By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to prevent teeth discoloration. You can try cutting down on coffee and tea or try drinking them with a straw to reduce the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth. If you are a smoker this is just one more reason to give up or cut back on an unhealthy habit. Everyone's dental hygiene can be improved by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dental hygienist every 6 months for a teeth cleaning.
If your teeth appear to be an abnormal color despite your good oral hygiene practices make an appointment to see your dentist.
Treatment options available to whiten teeth
- Laser tooth whitening
- Bondings
- Veneers
- Avoidance of the foods and beverages that cause stains
**This information is provided by the nylaserwhitening and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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