Reflections Dental Health Centre
Campus Dental CentreDiscolored teeth can result from various causes such as:
- Genetics: Some individuals are not born with a set that are white and bright.
- Trauma: Teeth that have been broken, chipped, or hit in an accident can discolor. This is often a result of bleeding inside the tooth. Silver and composite fillings can also discolor teeth.
- External staining: Stains occur from smoking or drinking beverages such as coffee or tea, but initially can just be off.
- Aging: Our teeth are porous so eventually superficial stains will penetrate and stain the actual tooth structure. The cause: a lifetime of smoking, drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and dark colored soda and juices; and eating highly colored foods such as cherry pie, blueberries, soy sauce, and tomato sauce.
- Medication: Medications such as tetracycline or fluoride, can cause staining on the teeth. Children should never take this medication reason being the after math will cause fully formed adult teeth to become gray. This is because of the microcirculation of blood in the pulp of the teeth.
Information provided my Dr. Bill Dorfman: Billion Dollar Smile
By Dr. Ken Hamin