Discolured teeth affects our beautiful smiles and can cause us to feel embarrassed about the appearance of our teeth. There are numerous reasons that cause the teeth to lose their vibrant white colour. It is important to identify the underlying causes for discolouration in order to develop an effective treatment plan to restore an exceptional smile.
Food and Beverages
The foods we eat and the beverages we drink could potentially cause staining and discoloured teeth. Let’s look at some of the more common ones.
1. Teas – Teas contain two ingredients that can alter the colour of your teeth, namely tannins and acids. The tannins are a natural plant-based substance which can increase staining on the teeth. The acids in tea cause the protective enamel to weaken and makes it less resilient to staining.
2. Coffee – Coffee also contains acids which attacks the enamel, as well as chromogens. Chromogens are commonly found in dark coloured beverages and foods due to colourized pigments and stick easily to teeth.
3. Carbonated Beverages – Sodas can contain corn syrup, sugars, and citric acids, all which cause tooth decay and weakens the teeth’s ability to resist staining and cavities.
4. Dark Coloured Fruits and Vegetables (Tomatoes, Beets, Cherries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Pomegranates, Raspberries, and so on) – These types of fruits and vegetables could contain chromogens and tannins, as well as acids, which all can lead to stains.
Dentin Discolourization
Dentin is located inside the tooth and sometimes changes in colour and eventually start to show through the exterior of the tooth. Dentin can change colours from a variety of factors and causes including:
Tobacco Usage
Using tobacco products on a regular basis can cause the teeth to become discoloured, stain, and increase risks for gingivitis and periodontal disease, as well as different types of cancers.
Maintaining a Beautiful Smile
The easiest way to maintain a bright, white smile is with regular visits to your dental clinic. The professional cleanings performed at these visits helps remove stains. In some cases, having your teeth cleaned more than twice a year could be beneficial to help manage external staining concerns.
To address yellowish looking teeth caused on the outside of the tooth, teeth whitening can be recommended. For discolourization caused by the dentin, there are several viable solutions, such as veneers or amalgam free fillings.
To learn more about how to keep your teeth white or other dental services, please feel free to call Kennedy Square Dental at (905) 789-7339 today to schedule a consultation appointment!