What Causes Sudden Tooth Discoloration? - Oral Health - Asheboro Dentist - Williams Dentistry (2024)

Posted by Williams Dentistry & filed under oral health, General Dental Articles.

What Causes Sudden Tooth Discoloration?- Oral Health - Asheboro Dentist - Williams Dentistry (1)Tooth staining can seem to happen overnight, but chances are, something has been introduced to your teeth over time that slowly darkened your teeth. With the exception of dental trauma, tooth discoloration is mostly caused by repeated exposure to staining ingredients or because of something health-related. So what can you do about discolored teeth? Just ask your dentist in Asheboro.

Identify The Cause

Before your dentist can find the best way to whiten your smile, we need to know what caused the discoloration in the first place. Tooth staining can be a result of many different things, and it’s important to know exactly what’s contributing to your specific problem as treatment will vary based on this information. Some of the main causes of tooth discoloration are:

  • Beverages & Foods

Foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee, tea, and spaghetti sauce can all contribute to tooth staining.

  • Tobacco

Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco all contain ingredients that will stick to the tiny pores in teeth and create a dark or brownish appearance.

  • Oral Hygiene

There are many reasons why your dentist in Asheboro recommends daily brushing and flossing. Keeping your teeth white is one of them. Proper oral hygiene routines help remove bacteria and plaque buildup that could lead to decay and discoloration.

  • Whole-Body Health

There’s a well-known link between oral and overall health, and, believe it or not, some whole-body health concerns can affect the color of your teeth. Certain diseases and their treatments, such as cancer and chemotherapy, can contribute to tooth staining. Other over-the-counter medications, such as allergy medication can also lead to discoloration. Don’t stop the use of any medication without talking to your doctor, and make sure you discuss all medicines with your dentist in Asheboro.

The Best Way to Whiten Your Smile

The best way to treat tooth discoloration depends on your specific situation and cause. But the good news is that there are many cosmetic dentistry options available to brighten any smile.

  • White (composite) dental fillings
  • Veneers
  • In-office professional smile whitening
  • Dental crowns

Avoiding The Problem

Many times, tooth discoloration can be prevented by taking just a few easy steps.

  • Stop smoking
  • Brush and floss your teeth daily
  • Limit staining foods and drinks and try to rinse with water after eating them
  • Discuss all medications and health conditions with your dental team
  • See your dentist in Asheboro twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings

Tooth discoloration is something that can often be fixed, so don’t settle for a smile you’re not proud of. Call your dentist to schedule an appointment today.

What Causes Sudden Tooth Discoloration? - Oral Health - Asheboro Dentist - Williams Dentistry (2024)

FAQs

What Causes Sudden Tooth Discoloration? - Oral Health - Asheboro Dentist - Williams Dentistry? ›

Causes include tobacco use, dental trauma

dental trauma
Dental trauma is any injury to your teeth, gums, jawbone or soft tissues of your mouth. Accidents, such as falls, car wrecks and sports-related injuries are the main cause of traumatic dental injuries. Early treatment gives you the best chance for full recovery.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org › diseases › 16916-dental-injuries
, poor oral hygiene and certain foods, drinks and medications.

Why do my teeth suddenly look more yellow? ›

Poor oral hygiene – poor oral hygiene practices cause yellowing of your teeth; however, discoloration or yellowing may occur despite regular teeth cleaning. Smoking – this is one of the leading causes of the yellowing of teeth.

What medications turn your teeth brown? ›

However, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, heart rhythm medications, and diuretics will stain your teeth. They can also cause you to have a dry mouth, which greatly increases your likelihood of developing tooth decay.

What deficiency causes teeth discoloration? ›

If your teeth are stained and your gums are unusually red, you may need to incorporate more B12 into your diet. Vitamin D deficiency — Without enough vitamin D, your body can't absorb calcium, and this can lead to tooth decay. You need vitamin D and calcium to maintain strong tooth enamel and avoid discoloration.

What are the factors that cause tooth discoloration? ›

In that spirit, here are eight of the most common causes of teeth discoloration.
  • Poor dental hygiene. ...
  • Tobacco use. ...
  • Certain foods and beverages. ...
  • The aging process. ...
  • Certain illnesses. ...
  • Certain medications. ...
  • Genetics. ...
  • Trauma.

Why are my teeth discolored all of a sudden? ›

Tooth discoloration refers to the staining or darkening of your teeth. You can develop discolored teeth for a number of reasons. Some causes are unavoidable — like aging, trauma or disease. Other causes are preventable — like smoking and poor oral hygiene.

Why are my teeth so yellow even though I brush them? ›

When plaque and tartar accumulate on the surface of your teeth, they can cause stains that appear yellow. But if you fall into the camp of those who brush regularly but still have yellow teeth, the problem may be harsh brushing or using the wrong toothbrush.

What drug changes the color of your teeth? ›

Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration. Dental materials. Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to teeth.

What does it mean when your teeth start turning brown? ›

Various factors can cause brown teeth in adults, including poor dental hygiene, consumption of staining foods and beverages, use of tobacco products, certain medications, and health conditions. It's important to consult with a dental professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What supplements discolor teeth? ›

Iron supplements are commonly prescribed to prevent iron deficiency anemia; however, tooth discoloration is a major side effect [3].

What deficiency disease attacks the teeth? ›

Vitamin D Deficiency

This vitamin makes it easier for the body to absorb calcium and helps teeth grow and get stronger. On the other hand, a lack of vitamin D can cause tooth enamel to break down, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.

Why is one tooth discolored? ›

If only one tooth is discolored, it may be due to a cavity or an injury to the inside of your tooth. The sooner these types of issues get treated by your dentist, the better the outcome will likely be. To keep your teeth in good health, see your dentist twice a year for routine exams.

What is the diagnosis of teeth discoloration? ›

Diagnosis. The patient's history provides useful information regarding the etiology of the discoloration. The scratch test is generally used to distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. Dental radiographs can reveal defects in both tooth structure and alveolar bone.

Can teeth discoloration be reversed? ›

We can correct deep tooth staining and discoloration, but it is a lengthy process. Unfortunately, once staining has reached interior enamel, it is much more difficult to reverse. This is different from surface stains, which your dentist can treat with teeth whitening in two visits.

How to fix one discolored tooth at home? ›

The patient should use 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) gel nightly for one – four weeks on the discoloured tooth. A reassessment with the dentist should be planned of the tooth colour.

What are the consequences of tooth discoloration? ›

Plaque and tartar will accumulate, causing tooth decay, gum disease and more oral health issues. Discolored teeth often contain cavities. Cavities are tiny holes in teeth that damage their structure. Discolored teeth can also cause gingivitis, which involves bleeding and inflammation of the gums.

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.

How to reverse yellow teeth? ›

How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth
  1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene. Practicing good oral hygiene is essential for keeping your teeth white. ...
  2. Avoid Stain-Causing Foods. ...
  3. Teeth Whitening Treatments and Products. ...
  4. Enamel Protection. ...
  5. Eat Calcium-Rich Foods.
Feb 13, 2023

Can teeth come back from being yellow? ›

Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.

At what age do teeth start to yellow? ›

If your child is about 6-7 years old and their permanent teeth have started to erupt, you may notice that their permanent teeth look quite a bit more yellow than their baby teeth. Good news: this is normal.

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