Why Teeth Discolor and How to Prevent and Reverse It (2024)

Why Teeth Discolor and How to Prevent and Reverse It (1)

Your smile is an important component of your attractiveness. Bright white teeth are associated with good health and hygiene and help to make great first impressions. Tooth discoloration can undermine your smile, and it can happen for many different reasons. Let us have a look at what causes staining and darkening and what you can do to prevent it as well as reverse it.

The common causes of tooth discoloration include:

  • Foods and drinks – The foods and drinks we consume every day can have a dramatic effect on tooth color. Coffee, tea, cola, and wine are all notable in that regard. Even certain fruits and vegetables, such as apples and potatoes, can stain your teeth.
  • Tobacco – Smoking or chewing tobacco will yellow your teeth over time.
  • Poor dental hygiene – You should brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse regularly with a therapeutic mouthwash. Not doing so enhances the effects of the foods and drinks mentioned earlier. It also allows for the accumulation of plaque and eventually tartar, which will yellow and otherwise discolor your teeth as well.
  • Disease – Certain diseases and other illnesses can damage your enamel and dentin. Enamel is the hard surface of the teeth, and dentin is the material beneath the enamel. Tooth discoloration can be a byproduct of such damage. There are also medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and head/neck radiation, that can discolor your teeth. It is also possible for unborn children to have their teeth discolored due to certain infections affecting their mothers.
  • Medications – Tetracycline and doxycycline are antibiotics known to discolor teeth in children about age 8 and younger. Hypertension medication, antipsychotic drugs, and antihistamines, such as Benadryl, can discolor teeth as well. Even mouthwash can cause discoloration if it contains chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride.
  • Dental materials – Dentists use some materials that can discolor teeth. These include the dental amalgam used for fillings, and any materials that contain silver sulfide can cast a color on teeth ranging from gray to black.
  • Aging – Yellowing of the teeth as you age is natural. This happens because your enamel wears over time, and your dentin has a natural yellow shade that gets revealed.
  • Genetics – Some people have brighter and/or thicker enamel than others and vice versa.
  • Environment – Excessive fluoride from environmental sources, such as your tap water, can discolor teeth. You can also create this effect through the excessive use of fluoride toothpaste, fluoride rinses, fluoride supplements, and other fluoride applications.
  • Trauma – Damage to your teeth, such as due to an automobile accident or athletic activities, can discolor your teeth due to disturbing the enamel. Trauma to children whose teeth are still developing can interfere with the formation of the enamel.

How Do You Prevent Tooth Discoloration?

Most tooth discoloration is preventable through good dental habits. Smokers should consider quitting altogether. People who drink a lot of coffee or tea should consider cutting back as well as rinsing their teeth regularly. Adhere to a consistent dental regimen that includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with mouthwash at least once a day, rinsing regularly and vigorously with water, and having your teeth examined and cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist at least twice a year.

If your teeth have an abnormal color and you are unsure why, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Do this if you have any unexplainable symptoms related to color.

How Do You Reverse Tooth Discoloration?

If the tooth discoloration is not severe, you may be able to reverse it just through the lifestyle changes explored earlier. If the tooth discoloration is severe, your options include:

  • Veneers and bondings
  • Over-the-counter whitening agents
  • Prescribed in-home whitening agents
  • In-office teeth whitening procedures

Enjoy Beautiful White Teeth

You deserve bright white teeth that gleam and instill you with confidence. Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, and his team at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence can help you do just that. Dr. Clark can provide personalized advice for preventing and reversing tooth discoloration. You will also have access to in-office teeth whitening that can restore your natural color in a lasting way! Call us at 480 585 1853 to learn more about your teeth whitening options and to schedule an appointment.

Why Teeth Discolor and How to Prevent and Reverse It (2024)

FAQs

Why Teeth Discolor and How to Prevent and Reverse It? ›

It's often caused by pigmented food and beverages as well as tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, or chew tobacco. Stains that appear on the surface of your teeth can usually be removed or reduced with teeth whitening products or procedures. These can be done by your dentist or you can try at-home products.

Can teeth discoloration be reversed? ›

We can correct deep tooth staining and discoloration, but it is a lengthy process. Unfortunately, once staining has reached interior enamel, it is much more difficult to reverse. This is different from surface stains, which your dentist can treat with teeth whitening in two visits.

How do I stop my teeth from Discolouring? ›

Limit foods and drinks that stain teeth, like tea, coffee, cola and red wine. Drink lots of water and rinse your mouth after drinking beverages that could cause tooth discoloration. Quit smoking. Visit your dentist for routine cleanings and exams.

How to reverse stained teeth naturally? ›

Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
  1. Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

How do you fix discoloration between teeth? ›

Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpaste or strips, may help lighten surface stains to some extent. However, a dentist's professional teeth whitening treatments are generally more effective for stubborn or deep-set stains between teeth.

What vitamin deficiency causes tooth discoloration? ›

Tooth discoloration from vitamin deficiency often occurs in people who don't get enough vitamin D. Without exposure to sunlight or other sources of this vitamin, the dentin that forms the core of the teeth cannot fully regenerate and build new layers.

Can dark yellow teeth become white again? ›

Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.

How do you Unstain your teeth fast? ›

Experiment to find a solution that works for you.
  1. Brushing your teeth. ...
  2. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. ...
  3. Coconut oil pulling. ...
  4. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  5. Lemon, orange, or banana peels. ...
  6. Activated charcoal. ...
  7. Eating fruits and vegetables with a higher water content.

What is the best tooth stain remover? ›

Toothpaste brands such as Crest3D and Colgate Max White are exceptionally good at removing stains that are not too deep. The brushing technique matters and the proven way is to brush up and down as well as with a sideways motion.

Can a grey tooth turn white again? ›

What to expect if a tooth turns gray. Gray teeth may not go back to their original color unless they're treated with whitening agents. If you don't get the results you want from at-home treatment, your dentist may recommend in-office bleaching or veneers.

How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›

Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.

What is the cheapest way to whiten your teeth? ›

Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options. If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone.

How to permanently whiten teeth? ›

One of the most effective ways to whiten teeth permanently is through professional teeth whitening procedures performed by a dentist. These treatments use potent bleaching agents that penetrate deep into the enamel, breaking down stains and discoloration.

Why are my teeth suddenly staining? ›

Foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee, tea, and spaghetti sauce can all contribute to tooth staining. Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco all contain ingredients that will stick to the tiny pores in teeth and create a dark or brownish appearance.

What diseases cause teeth discoloration? ›

Some medical conditions may impact the tooth enamel, which can lead to changes in the color of your teeth. These conditions include metabolic diseases, calcium deficiency, liver disease, rickets, eating disorders, and celiac disease.

Why do teeth go black in between? ›

Rotten teeth: A cracked or broken tooth can rot from the inside, which will make it turn black. The black appearance occurs due to the decomposition within the tooth itself. If you have a rotten tooth you will require a root canal. Root canal treatments do not cause a tooth to turn black.

Is tooth discoloration permanent? ›

Tooth discoloration associated with celiac disease is permanent. Most stains and spots caused by fluorosis or tooth decay are likewise irreversible. For permanent or stubborn brown spots on the teeth a dentist may be able to hide discolorations, or prevent further discoloration, with: white composite fillings.

Can brown teeth become white again? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week. They should only do this occasionally.

Can yellow teeth be reversible? ›

Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.

Can a discolored tooth be saved? ›

In some cases, the tooth will heal itself; however, it is common for the tooth to remain discolored or even die. Depending on the type of damage, treatment may involve a root canal to remove the dead tissue and bleaching or cosmetic restorations to improve the color of the tooth.

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