What Is It?
Teeth can become discolored by stains on the external surface (tooth enamel) or by changes inside the tooth (tooth dentine).
What Causes Discolored Teeth?
External
When the outside enamel layer of the tooth is stained by coffee, wine, food stains, smoking cigarettes
Internal
When the inner structure of the tooth (the dentine) darkens or gets a yellow tint. You can get this type of discoloration if:
- You had too much exposure to fluoride during early childhood
- Your mother used tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy or you used tetracycline antibiotics when you were 8 years old or younger
- You had trauma that affected a tooth and this caused internal bleeding which discolored the tooth
- You were born with a rare condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta which causes gray, amber or purple discolorations
Age-related
This is a combination of external and internal factors. Dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Foods and smoking also can stain teeth as people get older. Cracked teeth or other injuries can discolor a tooth, especially when the nerve has been damaged.
What Are The Options For Discolored Teeth?
Various treatment options are available to treat discolored teeth and these are targeted at the cause of discoloration. The following options are available:
- scaling and cleaning to remove superficial external stains
- white fillings to build up cracked teeth
- crowns
- veneers
- teeth whitening options
When To Call a Professional For Discolored Teeth?
Tooth discoloration is mainly a cosmetic problem. If you’re unhappy with how your teeth look or if you have had trauma to your tooth that results in a change of color, give the friendly and professional team at Divine Dental Care a call. We are here to help.