Causes Of Tooth Discolouration

Tooth discolouration is one of the most conspicuous tooth-related issues, and it’s not just teeth-staining food and drink that can bring about unwanted teeth staining.

Discover the many varied causes of tooth discoulouration below and learn how to avoid them in the process, not just from an aesthetic point of view, but in the interests of your dental health too.

Are there different types of tooth discolouration?

There are several classes of tooth discolouration, all with different root causes:

1. Extrinsic discolouration

2. Intrinsic discolouration.

3. Age-related discolouration

4. Restoration-related causes

5. Discolouration relating to medical conditions

While extrinsic stains originate on the surface of the teeth, intrinsic dental stains are created from within. Both types of staining signal bad news for your teeth.

Extrinsic vs Intrinsic discolouration – a breakdown

Extrinsic Discoloration

• Food and Drinks: Consuming certain foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, colas, and certain fruits (e.g., blueberries) can stain the teeth.

• Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco is a common cause of yellowing and staining on the surface of the teeth.

• Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause teeth to appear discoloured.

Intrinsic Discoloration

• Medication: Certain medications, especially tetracycline antibiotics, can cause teeth to become discoloured if taken during childhood while teeth are still developing.

• Fluorosis: Excessive fluoride intake during tooth development can lead to white spots or streaks on the teeth.

• Dental Trauma: Injury to a tooth can cause it to darken, significantly if the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth) is damaged.

• Tooth Decay: Cavities can cause discolouration in affected teeth, often appearing as dark spots.

• Genetics: Some people may naturally have teeth that are more yellow or grey due to their genetic makeup.

Other causes of tooth discolouration

Age-Related Discoloration

• Thinning Enamel: As people age, the outer layer of enamel on the teeth disappears, revealing the yellowish dentin beneath.

• Accumulated Stains: Over the years, exposure to foods, drinks, and habits like smoking can cause discolouration to build up.

Other Causes

• Dental Restoration Materials: Some dental restorations, like amalgam fillings, can cause the surrounding teeth to have a greyish hue.

• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as jaundice or metabolic disorders, can lead to tooth discolouration.

What can I do about tooth discolouration?

Fortunately, there are many solutions for the variety of tooth discolouration outlined above.

Culprit: Food and drink

Solution

• Reduce your intake of teeth-staining food and drink

• Use teeth whitening gels prescribed by a dentist to restore a healthy tooth shade.

• Drink plenty of water to rinse away teeth-staining elements like tannins (found in tea, coffee and red wine)

Culprit: Tobacco use

Solution

• Reduce or cut out smoking (our dentist can offer guidance and support to help you achieve this).

• Visit a hygienist for a scale and polish treatment to reduce staining.

• Use whitening gels prescribed by a dentist to restore a healthy tooth shade.  

Culprit: Poor oral hygiene

Solution

• Visit a hygienist for a scale and polish treatment to reduce staining.

• Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.

Culprit: Medication & Fluorosis

Solution

• Speak to a dentist about reducing staining – they will offer tailored advice, depending on the medication responsible for staining your teeth.

• Seek treatment to eradicate white spots (such as composite bonding or veneers).

Culprit: Dental trauma & decay

Solution

• See a dentist immediately if you have sustained a knock to the face that has caused dental pain, or caused the tooth to discolour (this could indicate that it needs an urgent root canal to save it ).

• Attend regular dentist check-ups to make sure dental decay doesn’t escalate and cause cavities (holes in your teeth).

Culprit: Age-related discolouration

Solution

• If your tooth enamel is eroding, your dentist can advise on foods to avoid. Even a few small dietary changes can stop enamel erosion from worsening.

• Some tooth discolouraiton as we get older is inevitable. Teeth whitening gels prescribed by a dentist can reverse general age-related tooth discolouration.

Culprit: Dental restoration materials

Solution

• Replace amalgam silver fillings with tooth-coloured white fillings.

Can tooth discolouration always be reversed?

In the vast majority of cases, tooth discolouration can be reversed, regardless of the age of the patient.

If tooth discolouration has been caused by a medical condition such as jaundice, it can become complicated to resolve but not impossible. We recommend speaking to your doctor if you are experiencing tooth discolouration that could be related to a serious health condition.

Ask a dentist

If you’d like to speak to a dentist about the cause of your tooth discolouration, Nova Smiles offers free online consultations.

Remember, when it comes to your health, there’s no such thing as a silly question – ask us anything. 😊