About 99% of people believe their smile is among their most important social features. As a result, keeping your pearly whites healthy and bright is undoubtedly a top priority. While signs of staining can certainly be reversed with the help of your dentist and teeth-whitening procedures, it's advantageous to be aware of what may be dimming your smile in the first place. This guide outlines some of the most common culprits that cause teeth discoloration. 

What Causes Staining and Discoloration on Teeth?

1. Aging

Dentin is the yellowish, soft material below the enamel of the tooth. With age, the outer layer of enamel wears away. This can happen for a variety of reasons, whether it's due to clenching and grinding, poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, or consistent exposure to acidic foods and drinks. The more the enamel deteriorates, the more exposed the dentin becomes. This is why you may notice your teeth yellowing with age. 

2. Foods and Drinks

Food and drinks can lead to tooth staining, but you may not be sure of how or why this happens. Beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine contain tannins that cause discoloration. These compounds attract proteins, sugars, carbohydrates, bacterial cell membranes, and enzymes within the mouth and cause them to stick to the enamel, which promotes staining.

Some foods and beverages can cause staining as a result of their natural and powerful color pigmentation, like beets, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and cranberries. Colored soda, fruit juice, citrus, and tomatoes have high levels of acidity that strip tooth enamel, allowing dentin to be more visible. Starches also surprisingly play a role in enamel erosion and can contribute to staining, even though it's often lighter.

3. Medications 

Taking certain medications can result in a less-than-bright smile. Antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and medications used to manage high blood pressure are associated with tooth darkening. Medicines administered to developing children under the age of 8, like tetracycline and doxycycline, are also responsible for premature staining. 

Even medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or head and neck radiation, have been linked to tooth discoloration. Talk to your doctor, in addition to your dentist, to see if there are any alternatives you can incorporate into your medical care if staining is becoming an issue.

Residents of Fairfield, OH, turn to Craig A. Spletzer, DDS, for dependable oral care services. Since 1990, this dental practice has provided children, teens, and adults with cost-effective preventative and restorative dental care. From regular cleanings and checkups to orthodontics and cosmetic procedures, this dentist is dedicated to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of his patients’ smiles. The relaxing office environment, state-of-the-art equipment, and individualized attention from the dental staff are what make patients of Dr. Spletzer's patients for life. Visit the website to learn more about this exceptional practice. Call (513) 860-1133 to schedule an appointment.