Dr. Lawrence Wang runs Madison Square Dentistry in Manhattan, which specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Here, he discusses the causes and types of tooth discoloration.
The two main types of tooth discoloration are extrinsic (external or surface stains) and intrinsic (internal stains). External stains affect the outside of the tooth, while internal stains discolor a tooth from within.
External Tooth Discoloration: External stains are straightforward. They can be attributed to anything that contacts the surface of the teeth, such as red wine, coffee, tea, or tobacco products. You can consume these products in moderation, but just be sure to remember to come in for regular cleanings to remove the staining, and remember that tobacco products are linked to gum disease.
Internal Tooth Discoloration: Internal discoloration reflects the actual condition of the tooth, often occurring as a result of treatment procedures, exposure to excessive amounts of fluoride (dental fluorosis), and certain antibiotics. Some causes include:
- Tetracycline: In some developing countries, as well as among older generations (people who are in their 50s or older), people took an antibiotic called tetracycline as kids, often for health issues such as earaches. Today, it is also used to treat acne, and it has played a historical role in stamping out cholera in the developing world. However, this antibiotic stains your teeth brown and yellow over time — darker than any other kind of teeth staining. Even when taken by a mother during pregnancy, it can affect the baby’s teeth. It causes such bad staining over time, that by the time people who took it as kids are teenagers, their teeth look terrible. Nowadays it is no longer used in developed countries because it causes teeth staining, but developing countries still use it. You cannot treat tetracycline staining with regular teeth whitening systems such as Zoom! or BriteSmile, so you would need veneers or the Deep Bleaching system.
I recommend Deep Bleaching, since it is far less invasive and less expensive. With the Deep Bleaching whitening system I use, I create custom, comfortable trays that you wear while you sleep. These trays fit like a glove, unlike with other systems where the bleaching solution often leaks out. The unique peroxide bleaching gel sinks deep into the enamel of your teeth, making whitening not only effective, but also easy. This, combined with two one-hour in-office visits, is guaranteed to give you a bright smile.
- Root canals: If you recently had a root canal procedure done, you now have a dead tooth. That means over time, the tooth will turn dark from the inside. Deep Bleaching cannot take care of this, so you need to get a crown or veneer put on.
- Fluoride: There is a condition called dental fluorosis, where a child is exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride during his tooth development. This can be caused by fluoride supplementation taken as a child or fluoride in baby formula. It can be mild, or turn your teeth a severe yellow or brown color. To reduce the risk of fluorosis, the ADA (American Dental Association) warns parents to prepare baby formula that is fluoride-free, or contains low levels of fluoride.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
