Your teeth may start to change color for several reasons. Your diet may contain increased natural levels of sugars in your saliva, which can cause tooth decay and discoloration. Or if you have been consuming an excessive amount of tea or coffee, especially if it is very acidic, this change in pH can lead to tooth erosion and discoloration, as well. Sometimes the coloration is brought on by drugs such as tetracycline or iron supplements. In addition, tobacco use can also stain your teeth over time.
Despite the cause of your teeth discoloration, you should go to general dentistry San Leandro, CA, for treatment right away. A dentist can provide you with a solution that will get your teeth back to a normal color so that you can smile with the confidence of knowing your teeth look great.
Let us now see into the common causes of teeth discoloration.
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Tobacco use
Chewing tobacco, in particular, causes teeth discoloration because of the nicotine it contains. This highly addictive substance is a powerful stimulant that dramatically increases the user’s heart rate and blood pressure. It also irritates your stomach, which releases more acid into your mouth to help digest the tobacco. All this acid makes it harder for your tooth enamel to resist decay and staining.
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Drinking dark beverages like coffee or black tea
Even caffeinated beverages, like coffee or black tea, can affect your teeth because of the effects of caffeine. It raises the amount of sugar and acid in your saliva. Both of these substances are known to stain teeth over time. If you take in too much caffeine, then you might experience tooth discoloration.
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Medications like tetracycline
Certain medications like tetracycline can also cause tooth discoloration. These drugs can often cause the individual’s teeth to get darker in color because they kill off beneficial enzymes that help the body fight off bacteria and make your teeth stronger. When these enzymes are killed off, bacteria and plaque can build up on the surface of your teeth, which produces a green-gray color on your enamel.
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Oral trauma
Another common cause of teeth discoloration is oral trauma. Damage to the surface of your teeth is often sustained when biting down too hard on a piece of food, such as a pretzel stick or hard candy. In addition to your teeth getting damaged and discolored, in some cases, this kind of trauma can lead to the breakage of your teeth’s enamel. This damage can lead to the formation of cavities or pits on your teeth.
