Most people over the age of 45 have likely noticed that their teeth are not as white as they once were. This occurs because, over time, the foods we eat, habits we indulge in, and even medications we take can slowly stain them.
The two types of stains: extrinsic and intrinsic
Extrinsic: This type of staining occurs on the surface layer of enamel and can cause a variety of aesthetic anomalies including white streaks, yellow tints, and brown spots or pits. Whitening techniques such as toothpastes and bleaching treatments are often very successful against this type of staining.
Intrinsic: Occurring deeper in the teeth, intrinsic staining affects the dentin within the inner structure of the teeth making it darker and more yellow or gray than it previously appeared. This type of staining will require alternative methods of lightening or can be covered with porcelain veneers.
Most common causes of teeth discolouration
Food and drink:
There are many foods and beverages which can cause damage to or stain the teeth including coffee, black tea, cola, red wine, cherries, and blueberries. The stains created by foods are typically yellow or brown, but can also appear green or orange. They can typically be removed through bleaching techniques.
Tobacco:
Both smoking and chewing tobacco can leave dark yellow or brown stains on the teeth which can be usually be lightened using over-the-counter whitening products.
Medications or disease:
Some diseases may affect the color of the dentin inside of the teeth. In these cases your dentist may be able to bleach the tooth from the inside out if it has had work done on it. Otherwise a porcelain veneer can be used to make the tooth appear whiter. Some medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants and high blood pressure drugs may also cause intrinsic discoloration.
Bad dental hygiene:
If stains on the teeth are caused by poor dental hygiene, whitening treatments will not work. Before the teeth can be lightened, your dentist will need to treat the damage caused by neglect.
Aging:
The enamel on our teeth naturally wears away as we age, causing the yellowish dentin within to show through more easily. This combined with the stains accumulated over a lifetime of eating and drinking several times a day will result in teeth that appear much less white than they did in our youth. While genetics will control how bright white your teeth started out, nothing will change the fact that they will naturally change over time.