Why Are My Teeth Discolored?

You may have noticed that one of your teeth, or an area on one of your teeth has turned yellow, brown, or black, or it may even have brighter white stains. Teeth discoloration can be affected by unavoidable biological factors, but it can also reflect certain lifestyle habits.

Avoidable Causes

Fortunately, many causes for discoloration can be understood and abstained from. These include:

• Food and drink. Over time, dark-colored foods like coffee, wine, soda, and soy sauce can stain the outer surface of the teeth.

• Tobacco. Smoking or chewing tobacco is associated with discolored and stained teeth. 

• Poor oral hygiene. Plaque and stains can build up without proper and consistent brushing and flossing. 

Watching what you eat and drink, quitting smoking, and maintaining good oral health can all contribute to having whiter teeth.

Unavoidable Causes

Other causes cannot be avoided, such as:

• Disease. The tooth’s enamel can be affected by certain diseases and their treatments like cancer, liver disease, and eating disorders. 

• Medication. Antihistamines, high blood pressure drugs, and the antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to stain teeth.

• Genetics. Depending on a person’s DNA, they may be more susceptible to having teeth that are more yellow or discolored. 

• Aging. As a person ages, their teeth are naturally likely to become more off-colored as their enamel thins and reveals the color of the underlying dentin.

Conclusion

Teeth discoloration has many causes. Pinpointing the reason can help you determine whether you can treat the discoloration. To get rid of staining, contact our office at Midland Dental today and set up a tooth whitening appointment.