Tooth Discoloration – What Is It?

Tooth Discoloration – What Is It?
Discolouration on patient teeth
Reading Time: 2 mins

Do you feel your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be or not as white as you’d like? There are many reasons that your teeth are not looking as white or bright as they should, and this can potentially impact your self-confidence and self-esteem when your smile. This process of tooth color change is known as tooth discoloration.

Things that can affect your teeth color include

  • Extrinsic causes: things that come in contact with your teeth
    • What you eat and drink
    • How well you look after your oral health
    • How well you care for your aligners
  • Intrinsic causes: caused by things in the internal structure of the teeth
    • Underlying disease
    • Damaged/worn teeth
    • Exposure to certain medication/chemicals (such as tetracycline)
  • Age-related: changes to teeth color later in life
Discolouration of teeth

How to Minimize Tooth Discoloration?

Having a good oral hygiene routine is essential to maintain your beautiful smile. Equally important is to reduce or avoid certain food and drink that can potentially cause staining of your teeth. These include

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Soft drinks (such as coke)
  • Red wine
  • Dark fruits (such as berries)
  • Consuming tobacco

Thus, it is important that you first update your diet with light coloured food and drink. Alongside this, have a check on your oral hygiene practice:  how strong is your oral routine? Are you brushing and flossing your teeth every day? Do you keep your mouth clean from food particles throughout the day and before sleeping? Do you visit the dentist for check-ups?

If you wear Invisalign aligners, caring for them is important because tooth discoloration can form because of this too. Bacteria builds up in your mouth every day, and this can be accumulated by your aligners. Looking after your aligners according to your orthodontist’s instructions will help to minimize tooth discoloration, and to ensure that your teeth remain straighter, brighter and stronger.

lady drinking coffee causing staining


What Treatment Options Are Available To Whiten Teeth?

In case you want to whiten your teeth further, it is best to do it after orthodontic treatment has completed. There are many options available including professional teeth whitening, veneers or just a professional clean. It is best to contact your dentist as to the best option for your teeth to establish a brighter smile.

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