Stained Teeth

Everyone wants to have pearly white teeth. Plus, it’s good for your relationships with other people. Studies have shown that people respond more positively to people with bright white teeth. They are perceived as younger and more attractive than people with discolored or stained teeth.

Various things can stain your teeth. The foods you eat and drink, medicines you are or have taken, even too much fluoride at an early age. Figuring out the causes behind a patient’s discolored teeth is important. Those causes can be internal or external.

External triggers

Tooth discoloration due to external causes is a result of the stains being in the outermost surface of the teeth. Causes of this type of staining are:

• Coffee, tea, red wine, dark colas, fruit juices
• Chewing and/or smoking tobacco
• Chlorhexidine mouthwash (it’s true — mouthwash can stain your teeth)
• Certain medications or supplements such as tetracycline, liquid iron, doxycycline, and others

Internal causes

When staining is caused by internal forces, this is often referred to as intrinsic discoloration. In these cases, the dentin (the middle layer of the tooth) becomes a dark hue. Reasons for intrinsic discoloration are:

• Age
• Tetracycline (staining from this antibiotic is common among people who were given the drug at an early age)
• Fluorosis, or exposure to an elevated level of fluoride at an early age.

Regular twice-yearly professional cleanings with Dr. Egger our hygienists are important to keeping your teeth looking their best. Call us at 989-773-3560 to make your next appointment.