Discolored Teeth

Having shiny, bright, white teeth has become a norm for our society—something that is associated with confidence and good hygiene. This was not always the case, as by nature our teeth are not pure white; it used to be that only children and few young adults had white teeth! Just like developing gray hair, yellowing teeth were accepted as a part of the aging process. However, media, current pop-culture, and visually-perfect celebrities have changed our standards for our smiles. Just as you never see wrinkles or dyed-hair roots on a polished celebrity, you do not expect to see a healthy man or woman of any age to have yellow, discolored teeth.

External Causes of Staining:

There are many reasons that teeth can become discolored. The most common cause is the accumulation of stains from foods and drinks over time. Consistent exposure to darker substances stains the teeth faster, so coffee and red wine are often major culprits for stained, darkening teeth. In addition, smoking causes yellowing of the teeth more quickly than any other trigger, just as it can yellow the skin. Though these substances cause tooth discoloration the most quickly, other foods and drinks can cause staining over time, as they continuously build up. The good news about external staining, however, is that it responds very well to various bleaching methods, just as a grimy white t-shirt responds to bleach in the wash.

Internal Causes of Staining:

Mottled enamel: In recent years there has been an alarming increase in this form of tooth discoloration, which appears as white/yellowish patches of opaqueness on the surface of teeth. This condition is called “mottled enamel,” and is the result of the condition Fluorosis, or excessive ingestion of fluorides during tooth development ages. Fluorosis used to be seen in certain areas where uncontrolled sources of water were used. This type of water, such as water straight from private wells, tends to be rich in Fluoride salts. The recent surge in Fluorosis cases seen in the Los Angeles and other metropolitan areas is most likely due to multiple sources of fluoride supplementation resulting in a net fluoride ingestion that is above the optimal level.

Systemic Fluorides: Ingestion of the prescribed amount of fluoride during enamel-forming stages (birth through 10 years of age) will strengthen the enamel of the teeth and make them more resistant to the acid attack from bacteria which cause dental cavities. Many municipalities in the United States have recognized this fact, and as a result, add fluoride (one part per million) to the drinking water of the cities. This, in part with increased awareness of the important of proper dental hygiene and regular visits to a dentist, is responsible for the reduction of the dental decay in the current young population of the United States. Second only to the eradication of smallpox by the smallpox vaccine, fluoride has been recognized as the most effective single agent against an infectious disease in the developed world.

However, the increase in the use of water-softening devices and bottled water in health-conscious families deprives these people from the cavity-fighting advantages of fluoride. Most people no longer drink directly from the tap, and thus lose out on the added fluoride. If you do not drink tap water, or you do not believe you are getting the appropriate amount of fluoride from your drinking water, you should consult a member of our staff to discuss ways to supplement your fluoride intake. Too little fluoride can weaken the teeth, thus leaving the teeth susceptible to the decay and natural erosion that leads to discolored, weakened teeth.

Tetracycline Stains: Administration of Tetracycline anti-biotic drugs during pregnancy or the first few years of life is the classic cause of grayish discoloration of teeth. With our present knowledge of this adverse reaction, physicians and dentists tend to avoid prescribing antibiotics to young children or to expectant mothers, however, for many the damage has already been done. Hopefully, as we become more aware of the negative effects certain drugs may have on our bodies, things such as tetracycline staining of the teeth will eventually become extinct.

Developmental Anomalies: Certain developmental anomalies like Amelogenesis Imperfecta can cause a deep-seated yellow-brown stain on the teeth.

You can view before-and-after photos of treated discolored here.

Dr. Zadeh and his staff will be happy to discuss discolored teeth with you. Please call for a consultation today.