What are the Main Causes of Tooth Discoloration?

Tooth discoloration can be explained by the formation of two main types of dental stains. They are intrinsic, which are stains that form from plaque in your mouth and come from both bacteria and food. The other type of dental formation is extrinsic, which is created from external sources, such as tobacco, tea (such as black or green tea), coffee, medication like tetracycline, and birth control pills that contain estrogen.

Fluoride can also stain teeth due to saliva washing away the protective enamel layer. If you see any symptoms of tooth discoloration, you better seek professional advice from family dentistry in Omaha, NE. Teeth whitening procedures are some of the most popular options offered by dentists. There are different types of tooth whitening available on the market today, so you must make sure you choose a procedure that is right for your teeth.

Let us now see into the main causes of teeth discoloration.

• Tobacco use

Tobacco use is a big cause of tooth discoloration. The nicotine in tobacco causes teeth discoloration due to its diuretic properties and the similarities between nicotine and uric acid. When nicotine comes in contact with saliva, it tends to make the teeth look yellowish in color, as it is similar to uric acid.

• Certain food or drinks

According to dentists, various food and drinks have been found to stain the teeth or have some discoloration effect on them. Some examples of these foods include tea, wine, and coffee. Among drinks, beer is also very notorious for tooth staining. Soda and fruit juices are also known for their adverse effect on the teeth. Drinks containing citric acid are very much known for tooth staining.

• Poor dental hygiene

The lack of proper dental hygiene can be a big cause of tooth discoloration. You can avoid this problem by using dental floss and interdental brushes. It is also essential to keep the teeth clean, otherwise, this problem can occur.

• Medications

Some medications can also cause discoloration. This is mainly due to the fact that these drugs contain tetracycline or tetracycline derivatives. Tetracycline is a type of antibiotic you can get from both public and private doctors, but some oral health experts believe it can be harmful to dental health.

• Diseases

When a person suffers from certain diseases, these diseases can be one of many causes of yellow teeth. For example, when a person suffers from gingivitis or even diabetes, he is at risk of suffering from discolored teeth.