Tobacco not only increases your chances of gum disease, it can also cause your teeth to turn yellow.
Bright and dark-colored foods such as wine, coffee, tea, as well as certain fruits and vegetables (e.g. beets, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries) can stain teeth.
Failing to brush and floss on the daily basis or not brushing thoroughly enough is a major contributor to tooth discoloration.
Certain diseases can impact your tooth color, such as liver disease, calcium deficiency, eating disorders, and celiac disease.
Certain medicine, like antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline, antihistamines, high blood pressure medication, and antipsychotic drugs, cause tooth discoloration.
As you age, your tooth enamel becomes thinner, revealing the dentin underneath that also yellows with age.
Other causes of tooth discoloration could also include genetics, trauma, fluorosis (too much fluoride), and previous dental work.
Changing your lifestyle habits, like quitting smoking and drinking coffee, is the best way to prevent tooth discoloration. You can also prevent tooth discoloration and staining by:
There are several treatment options available to treat tooth discoloration. These include:
Some tooth discoloration is irreversible, in that case your dentist can cover up the discoloration with veneers, crowns, and white composite fillings.
It is a good idea to see your dentist to pinpoint the reason for tooth discoloration and treatment options. Call our office at (925) 705-7093 to learn how you can keep your smile white and bright.