What Causes Discolored and Stained Teeth?

Do your teeth look yellow? Is your tooth enamel a different shade than the rest of your teeth?

If you look in the mirror, you may see that your pearly white teeth have lost their shine. There are a variety of causes and several ways to fix stained teeth.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of yellow or brownish teeth and how to fix them. Keep reading to learn more!

Dietary Habits

Dietary habits can be one of the leading causes of discolored and stained teeth. Drinking coffee, soda, tea, and red wine are all known to stain teeth.

The acids from citrus fruits and other acidic foods can also erode tooth enamel and darken teeth. Different eating habits, such as smoking and colored foods and drinks, can cause staining over time.

The tannins in tea and red wine, as well as the chromogens and acidity in coffee and soda, can cause staining. Consuming large amounts of sugar can also stain teeth because it causes plaque to build up on the teeth, leading to discoloration of the enamel.

Reducing sugar and acidic food intake, avoiding smoking and drinking stain-causing beverages, and rinsing with diluted baking soda can help cut discoloration and staining.

Lack of Routine Cleanings

Discolored and stained teeth are often linked to a lack of routine cleanings. Without regular cleaning, plaque and tartar buildup along the gum line and on the surface of the teeth over an extended period can result in discoloration and staining.

This plaque and tartar contain bacteria and debris, which combine with saliva and food particles to form calculus. This calculus seeps into the tooth enamel and causes staining and discoloration.

Furthermore, a lack of routine cleanings can lead to decay, cavities, and, even more serious, periodontal disease. Regular cleanings prevent discolored teeth and maintain proper oral hygiene.

To avoid discoloration and staining of teeth, you to visit the dentist for a whitening treatment and maintain a proper dental hygiene routine.

Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion is one of the most common causes of discolored and stained teeth. This process occurs when the acid from food and drink begins to break down the outer layer of the tooth, or enamel, causing it to become damaged.

This exposure can cause the teeth to become discolored and stained, or all at once, depending on the severity of the erosion. If left untreated, enamel erosion can cause the teeth to become stained and discolored, and the damage may become irreversible.

Genetic Factors

Genetic factors can play a role in the discoloration and staining of teeth. Some people are born with teeth that are more susceptible to staining and discoloration. This can be due to thinner enamel which is the protective outer covering of each tooth.

Some people have yellow or grayish-colored teeth, often due to higher protein content in their tooth structure. These discolorations can worsen with age, making them more challenging to remove with even professional dental treatment.

Various treatments, such as veneers and bonding, are available to help improve and have whiter teeth.

Visit Your Dentist to Prevent Stained Teeth Today

Having discolored and stained teeth doesn’t have to be a life-long issue. Visiting a dental clinic for check-ups and professional cleanings, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet, and using appropriate whitening products can all help cut or prevent the discoloration of teeth.

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