Main Reasons for Discoloration of a Tooth

People love to show of their pearly whites when they smile, but sometimes those pearly whites are not so white. There are many people who suffer from discoloration of their teeth and it can be a frustrating problem to deal with. Fortunately, there are treatment options available to treat tooth discoloration, but first one must understand what is causing that problem. Some of the most common causes include: improper dental hygiene, certain foods and drinks, genetics, smoking, certain medications, and age.

Failing to brush and floss one’s teeth properly are one of the most common causes of tooth discoloration. Sometimes, all it takes is a person brushing and flossing more often to remove stains from his or her teeth. Certain foods and drinks, such as apples, potatoes, coffee, red wine , and tea can also cause food discolorations. Cutting down or eliminating those foods and drinks completely can help restore a person’s teeth to its natural color. Genetics may also play a role in tooth discoloration; if a person’s parents, uncles, aunts, or siblings, has tooth discoloration, he or she will be more likely to have this problem. Unfortunately, this is something that one cannot control.

   
Smoking is a major cause of tooth discoloration because it contains tar and other chemicals which alter the color of a person’s teeth. If smoking is found to be the culprit of a person’s tooth discoloration, he or she should stop immediately. Certain medications, such as antibiotic tetracyline, may also cause tooth discoloration. If that is the case, a person should talk to his or her physician about lowering the dosage or switching to another type of medication. The natural aging process can also change the color of a person’s teeth. This is also something that cannot be controlled.

While discoloration of the teeth can be unsightly, it can also be corrected with simple lifestyle changes. Brushing, flossing, avoiding foods and drinks that cause the teeth to stain, and not smoking can drastically improve a person’s smile. If it appears that lifestyle changes are not working, a person should consult his or her dentist because there are various treatment options available.

sources : http://www.helpfulhealthtips.com