What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

Artistic Touch Dentistry wants you to know what causes tooth discoloration so you can try to avoid certain foods, drinks, and of course tobacco products. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry explains that, “The main causes of darkened teeth are genetics, antibiotics, and certain foods, plus teeth tend to darken as we age. Internal tooth discoloration is caused by changes in the enamel of the tooth and the dentin. The main causes of internal tooth discoloration are exposure to high levels of fluoride, tetracycline, use of antibiotics as a child, developmental disorders, tooth decay, restorations, root canal issues, and trauma.”

However, external tooth discoloration is usually caused by outside factors such as foods and tobacco. WebMD explains that berries, sauces such as soy sauce, tomato sauce, and curry sauce as well as sweets can all cause your teeth to become stained and darken. After you have eaten anything that may stain your teeth make sure to swish water around in your mouth if you are not able to brush your teeth right away. To help avoid your teeth becoming discolored due to beverages like soda, tea, or coffee consider drinking them through a straw to avoid contact with you teeth.

If you are looking for teeth whitening then give our team at Artistic Touch Dentistry—many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “bleaching” procedure.