Discoloured Teeth
Something which stands out more than beautiful white teeth are the discoloured teeth. Discolouration can be either extrinsic or intrinsic.
Extrinsic: This is caused by something which comes in contact with your teeth
Intrinsic: This is caused by something which is inside the teeth or your body.
What causes tooth discolouration?
1. Smoking and chewing tobacco:
The chemicals in cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco etc can cause teeth stains over time.
2. Food and Beverages:
Frequent drinking of black tea, red wine, colas, coffee and having soya sauce etc stains the teeth in due course. Such foods should be taken in limit or one should prioritize brushing the teeth after consumption.
3. Fluorosis or Mottled Enamel:
Excessive fluoride from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride level in water about 1.5 ppm) can cause discoloration. Children of 8 years and younger are at risk as this is the time when permanent teeth are developing. Fluorosis is more a cosmetic condition that affects the teeth. Teeth of those affected by fluorosis may appear
- Lacy white line towards gum
- Stain ranging from yellow to brown
- Surface irregularities
- Pits that are highly noticeable
Although fluorosis is not a disease its affect can be psychologically distressing and difficult to treat.
4. Medication:
Exposure to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline in utero or before the age of eight years, when permanent teeth are developing, are known to discolour teeth. Not every child has the same degree of tooth discolouration. The extent of the staining depends on the length of the treatment, medicine dosage and stage of tooth development at the time of exposure.
5. Mouth rinse and mouth wash:
Mouth wash and mouth rinses which contain chemicals like chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth.
6. Accidents or Trauma:
Damage from a fall while playing, or traumatic injury to the teeth can damage the nerve of the tooth which can lead to discoloration. Sometimes the discoloration is seen 10-15 years after the trauma. Trauma can also cause discolouration to the adult teeth.
7. Decay or old fillings:
Old silver fillings give greyish colour to the teeth. Even the composite (white fillings) can become yellow with time.
8. Poor Oral Hygiene:
Tooth stains caused by forgetting brushing and flossing can cause plaque and food stains to build up. Over time, pigmented residue from food and beverages is absorbed by the enamel creating stains.
9. Ageing:
As the person ages the outer layer of the enamel on the teeth wears off revealing the natural colour of dentine i.e. yellow. This also looks like as if the stains are there on the teeth.
There are three main treatments usually available for discoloured teeth. These are selected based on the severity of the problem area.
- Bleaching (whitening of the teeth)
- Veneers
- Crown work
You can schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Seema Bansal for more informantion.
Good information on discoloured teeth. Keep sharing more information
Thank you Ruchita for commenting.
Very informative.
Thanx Jiya
Good information..I like ur work Dr Seema..u r my favorite ❤️😇
Thank you Vrushali
Very informative
Thank you Nikita for commenting
Nicely explained. Very informative.
Thank you Komal for your comment
Insightful information on discoloured teeth. Keep sharing more information. This has been ingrained in my mind since I started treatment with you.
Thank you Gayatri for remembering what all we used to discuss during the treatment sessions
Very informative . Best doctor.
Thank you Bijal for commenting and finding it informative.
Valuable information.kee posting .
Thank you Jaya for finding my blog informative
Very informative 💯
Thank you Aatmaja for your comment on the blog. It is always a huge motivation .
i like your blogs. They are easy to read and cover important areas in oral health and hygiene. Please continue writing.
Thank you Sameer for finding it informative.