There are a number of causes of potential tooth discoloration, and some are completely unavoidable on your part. While the precise cause of your tooth discoloration may be difficult to peg down, chances are one or more of the following causes are to blame.

1. Tooth
Discoloration
What You Need To Know

2. Tooth Discoloration
• Tooth discoloration is the change in
the natural color of the tooth due to
internal and external factors. Two of
the most common factors of tooth
discoloration are food and drinks. Poor
dental hygiene, genetics, certain
diseases, medications and some
environmental elements can also
cause tooth discoloration.

3. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• There are a number of causes of
potential tooth discoloration, and
some are completely unavoidable on
your part. While the precise cause of
your tooth discoloration may be
difficult to peg down, chances are
one or more of the following causes
are to blame.

4. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• Food and Drinks. You may have heard that
coffee, tea and soda can stain your teeth, but did
you know certain veggies, like potatoes, berries and
apples, can stain them as well?

5. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• Tobacco. This is a given. Smoking and chewing will
not only discolor your teeth, but can also cause
gum disease or contribute to oral cancer (among
other health conditions).

6. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• Poor Dental Hygiene. If you don’t want to give up
your morning coffee or kick your smoking
habit, then you’re going to have to try to
compensate with excellent dental care. Regular
brushing and flossing can reduce the odds that you
will stain your teeth. Regular check ups and
cleanings are critical, too.

7. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• Disease. Several diseases that affect tooth enamel
and dentin can lead to tooth discoloration. What’s
more, treatments for certain conditions, such as
chemotherapy to fight cancer, can discolor your
teeth. If you’re pregnant while suffering from one of
these ailments or undergoing one of these
treatments, the teeth of your developing child may
be affected as well.

8. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• Medications. Certain antibiotics, such as
tetracycline and doxycycline, can discolor your
teeth, particularly if used before the age of 8.
Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine
and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain
teeth, while antihistamines (like
Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs and antihypertensive
medications also cause discoloration.

9. Causes of Tooth
Discoloration
• Genetics. When all else fails, blame
mom and dad.
• Age. Nothing escapes the affects of
age – not even your teeth.
• Environment. Excessive fluoride from
environmental sources, such as
naturally high fluoride levels in the
water, can contribute to discolored
teeth

10. Intrinsic Tooth
Discoloration
• Intrinsic tooth discoloration is staining
that affects the deeper levels of the
teeth. It is less common than extrinsic
discoloration, which affects only the
tooth surfaces. Intrinsic staining is more
difficult to treat than extrinsic staining.

11. • Richmond Family Dentist, Brent Swinney DDS dental
clinic, offers the highest quality preventive and
restorative cosmetic dental care for all Richmond
Indiana families.
• For a quality Richmond Indiana dentist just call Brent
Swinney D.D.S. at (765) 962-3000 or stop in to
arrange for a consultation.
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