Teeth discolouration, also known as tooth staining, is a common issue that affects many people. The enamel of your teeth can become stained in several ways, and it's important to understand why it happens so that you can prevent it from getting worse.
This blog discusses common tooth discolouration reasons and how to avoid it and manage it if it occurs.
10 Causes of Teeth Discolouration
Teeth discolouration is a common problem, but it can be corrected with the right treatment. Teeth discolouration can be caused by many factors and affect each individual differently.
Here are some of the most common causes of teeth discolouration:
1. Stains caused by food and drink
Food and drink can stain your teeth over time. Most of us can relate to having our morning coffee or tea leaving a lasting brownish-yellow stain on our teeth. The same goes for red wine, red soda, and other coloured beverages that stain the surface of our teeth. While we may be able to control how much coffee or tea we drink throughout the day, it's not always easy to avoid foods with high sugar content, such as lemon wedges, berries, or desserts like popsicles.
Fortunately, most stains caused by food and drinks can be removed with regular brushing and flossing within 24 hours of consumption as long as you're consistent about it!
2. Smoking and tobacco use
Tobacco products can stain your teeth. The nicotine in these products will get into your saliva and seep through the enamel of your teeth, causing them to look yellowish or brownish. And if you don’t brush regularly, it will settle on the surface of your teeth and stay there even after brushing. This is why it’s important to maintain good dental hygiene by brushing at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily if possible.
3. Poor oral hygiene
Not brushing regularly can lead to plaque build-up on your teeth, which causes them to look darker than they should be. Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up between your teeth when you do not clean them properly. Bacteria in plaque cause cavities and gum disease, so you must brush at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste.
4. Medication
Some medications can cause tooth discolouration as a side effect of taking them over a long period. Antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline can leave brown stains on your teeth for years after you stop taking them because they kill off healthy bacteria that protect your gums from infection.
Teeth can also be discoloured by mouthwashes and rinses containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. Drugs used to treat high blood pressure, schizophrenia, and allergies can all discolour teeth.
5. Ageing Process
A gradual loss of tooth enamel occurs with age. This may expose the dentin underneath the tooth's surface. Dentin has a yellow tint; therefore, it's no surprise that many people's teeth get more discoloured over time.
6. Certain diseases
Some medical conditions can lead to discolouration in your teeth. For example, some people develop tooth discolouration after kidney failure or liver disease. This is due to an accumulation of urea and other waste products in the bloodstream that can affect the colour of your teeth. Other medical conditions leading to discolouration include diabetes, gout, and hyperthyroidism.
7. Calcium deficiency
Calcium helps keep your enamel strong and healthy, so if you don't consume enough calcium in your diet, it's more likely that it will wear away over time and leave your teeth looking duller than they should. Calcium deficiency can also cause thinning of the enamel, which makes it more susceptible to staining by external substances like coffee or tea.
8. Accidental trauma or injury
It's not uncommon for youngsters to get smacked in the mouth when playing sports. If they are less than eight years old, the injury may prevent enamel from forming properly. When the blood supply to an adult tooth is cut off, or the nerve dies due to an impact, whether from a sport or otherwise, the tooth may become discoloured.
9. Genetics
Some people are naturally gifted with the ability to keep their smiles bright and healthy, while others are not. The colour of your teeth is partially determined by your genes, as is the whiteness and thickness of your enamel.
10. Dental fluorosis
Dental fluorosis is a common cause of tooth discolouration. It is usually found in children who swallow too much fluoride.
The condition occurs when a child has too much fluoride in their mouth (or at least more than they can handle). Fluoride is an ingredient in some toothpaste and drinking water, as well as added to some water supplies by public health authorities.
Fluoride enters the bloodstream by swallowing toothpaste or drinking from a fluoridated water supply, or getting it through the skin from a bath with high levels of fluoride. It then travels to the bones, which binds with them and makes them stronger – this is how fluoride works for teeth.
A small amount of extra fluoride can be beneficial, but if there’s too much, it can cause discolouration of the teeth – known as dental fluorosis.
How to Prevent Teeth Discolouration?
Teeth discolouration is a common concern for many people. It can be embarrassing, especially if you have to smile or show off your teeth in public. The good news is that there are ways to prevent teeth discolouration and whiten them naturally. You must:
● Brush Your Teeth Regularly
● Floss Daily
● Limit tea, coffee, and red wine consumption
● Avoid tobacco use
● Follow a healthy diet
Bottom Line
If you’re interested in teeth whitening in Bondi, there are a few things you can do at home to help prevent the discolouration of your teeth. Brush twice a day and floss at least once. You should also avoid smoking and drinking coffee and red wine, as these can all contribute to the discolouration of your teeth over time. If you follow these simple tips, you will be well on your way to having bright white teeth without needing expensive treatments or procedures!
If none of these work, you may have to head to a professional and get a teeth whitening procedure done.
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