Tooth Discoloration: Types, Causes, and Solutions

Teeth discoloration is a common concern in both adults and children. Tooth staining or changing of tooth color is referred to as tooth discoloration. Teeth do not look bright or white as they used to do before. They might become darker or change their color from white to other colors. Most of the tooth stains are manageable.

There are different types of tooth stains. The color of stained teeth helps to diagnose the cause of discoloration. Following are the common discoloration of tooth:

• Yellow color appears due to enamel worn. This wearing of enamel makes the yellow core of a tooth more visible.
• Purple color is the indication of high consumption of red wine that leave scars on tooth surfaces
• Brown stains appear because of tobacco use and drinking coffee/tea. These stains can also occur due to poor oral hygiene.
• Black or grey tooth discoloration is an indication of decayed teeth. Black line might occur as an exposure to minerals (iron, manganese, or silver).

It is not always necessary to have any dental abnormality because tooth color varies among individuals. Having naturally different tooth color from others does not indicate discoloration. A dentist can help to make your smile bright in case of different tooth color.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

• Poor Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of tooth discoloration. Ignoring teeth brushing or flossing cause plaque accumulation. This plaque accumulation results in stained teeth.
• Aging: Tooth enamel worn off naturally with time. The inner layers of tooth dentine become more visible as the enamel becomes thin. This dentine appears yellow making teeth stained.
• Dietary Factors: Tobacco, dark-colored food and drinks cause tooth discoloration over time.
• Trauma: Road traffic accidents and sports-related injuries cause pulpal damage. This pulpal damage cause tooth discoloration over time.
• Genetics: Natural hue (color) of tooth and translucency vary from person to person. Some individuals have naturally yellow, brown, grey, or reddish tooth color.

Types of Tooth Discoloration

Teeth stains can appear in various forms and under different conditions. It is crucial to remember that different stains require different types of care. A dental professional can advise you on the best course of action to prevent tooth discoloration depending on your demands and situation.

• Extrinsic Discoloration: Extrinsic discoloration appears on the surface of a tooth. These types of discoloration are caused by smoking, coffee or tea, and consuming stained meals. These types of stains are prevented by maintaining dental hygiene and professional tooth cleanings.
• Intrinsic Discoloration: Intrinsic discoloration occurs within the tooth. These types of stains are caused by tooth damage or due to excessive fluoride intake.
• Management of intrinsic tooth discoloration is more difficult. Professional treatments like bonding or tooth whitening can help to remove intrinsic stains.
• Age-Related Discoloration: Age-related discoloration occurs with aging because of the natural wearing of enamel layer. These stains can occur due to poor oral hygiene, genetic factors, or use of medications.
• Drug-Induced Discoloration: These types of discoloration occur due to long term use of medicines like antibiotics, antihistamines, diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
• Trauma-induced discoloration: These types appear from accident or dental trauma. Dead pulp causes black or grey tooth discoloration. Crown can help to hide discoloration caused by dead pulp.
• Dental restoration stains: Metallic dental restorations can cause stains with time. They can be managed by replacing metallic fillings with tooth-colored fillings, teeth whitening, or crowns.

Treatment Options for Tooth Discoloration

The dentists use different treatment options depending on the cause, type, and dental condition. Some of the common treatment options for tooth discoloration are as follows:

• Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening is the first and most preferrable option to treat tooth discoloration. It takes an hour to complete the process. These methods use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide teeth whitening products. These products break tooth stains and give instant results.
• At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits: At-home whitening kits have low concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This method requires 30-60 minutes daily or depending on the type of brand you are using. At-home whitening kits usually take 6 weeks for desirable results.
• Veneers: Veneers are tooth-colored thin shells that cover the outer surface of discolored teeth. Veneer is the most preferred option for discolored front teeth. The dentists advise veneers if whitening does not improve tooth discoloration.
• Crowns: Crowns are the preferred option with deep cavities or decayed teeth. The dentists advise crowns to cover stains and to strengthen weakened teeth.
• Bonding: The dentists advise dental bondings for deep and widespread discoloration. Bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin applied to the tooth surface to cover stains. Bonding is a cheaper option than veneers but is not a suitable option for several discolored teeth.

Prevention of Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration is a common issue. The main aim is to preserve the natural color of teeth. Prevention of tooth discoloration depends on the quality of life, eating habits, and oral care routine.

• Drink water: Frequent water intake especially after meal can help to wash off the food particles from tooth surface that can cause discoloration.
• Proper Oral Hygiene Practices: Brushing and flossing daily can help to remove plaque. This helps to preserve teeth from discoloration.
• Dietary Tips: Fresh fruits and vegetables can help to clean teeth surfaces naturally and keep tooth enamel intact.
• Use straw: Use of straw for drinking stained drinks can minimize the contact of drink with teeth.
• Regular Dental Check-ups: Regular dental checkups with professional cleaning remove the tartar from tooth surfaces. This helps to lower the risk of discoloration due to plaque accumulation.

Natural Remedies for Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration can appear for various reasons. Tips to get white teeth or slow the process of tooth discoloration range from maintaining oral hygiene and avoiding certain foods to occasional hydrogen peroxide rinse. DIY whitening kits are readily available at pharmacies but provide slow results. Some natural remedies can help to remove stains and protect the enamel of a tooth.

• Oil pulling
• High-fiber foods
• Hydrogen peroxide rinse
• Brushing with baking soda (use baking soda with cautions as it has abrasive properties)