Why Have My Teeth Become So Discolored?

A lot rests on your smile, so it’s only natural you want to keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, tooth discoloration is a common problem for most of us, largely thanks to a few equally common habits.

As a leading cosmetic dentistry practice in Abilene, Texas, Morris Dental Associates battle yellowed, dingy teeth using a custom approach featuring professional whitening, dental crowns, and veneers. In this post, Amy Morris, DDS, and our team provide an overview of why tooth staining happens — and how we can help restore your beautiful smile.

Tooth discoloration: The basics

To understand how tooth discoloration happens, you first need to know a little bit about tooth anatomy. Most of us know teeth have two main parts: the visible part (crown) and a root that’s under the gum tissue.

But tooth anatomy is a little more complex than that. While it’s tempting to think of teeth as being composed of a single, solid material, teeth are actually made up of layers: the outer enamel layer, an underlying dentin layer, a central pulp portion where nerves are found, and a thin layer of material (cementum) that covers the root surface.

Most visible tooth discoloration happens either in the outer enamel coating of your teeth or the underlying dentin layer. Moreover, staining can be divided into two types: extrinsic stains that affect the surfaces of your teeth, and intrinsic stains that occur within the inner tooth structure.

Why enamel discoloration happens

Understanding these two types of staining also helps define why these stains happen.

Extrinsic discoloration

Since extrinsic stains happen on the surface of your teeth, it’s no surprise that the foods and beverages you consume can play a big role. Specifically, foods and drinks with deep pigments can leave color behind, especially when consumed over a period of time. 

Coffee, tea, red wine, deeply colored berries, tomato products, and dark spices like turmeric are all potential causes of these types of stains. Extrinsic discoloration can also be caused by tobacco products, when nicotine and chemicals leave behind staining residues.

Finally, poor oral hygiene habits can play a role, too. Plaque and tartar deposits missed with brushing and flossing can trap pigments, eventually leading to discoloration of the tooth surface.

Intrinsic discoloration

While some deeply penetrating pigments from foods and drinks may reach the dentin layer and cause stains, intrinsic staining is often due to other factors. Trauma to the tooth structure is one potential cause, particularly if the tooth’s nerves or blood flow is compromised. 

Excessive wear due to aging or bite problems is another type of trauma that happens gradually, revealing the yellower dentin layer over time. Even certain medications and medical treatments can cause teeth to look gray or dingy, particularly long-term use of antibiotics called tetracyclines or cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Restoring your pearly whites

A whiter, brighter smile looks healthier and more youthful, too, and Dr. Morris offers several options to help your smile look its best. 

Professional whitening

For the fastest results, Philips Zoom! QuickPro lifts away stains in 45 minutes or less, helping your smile look up to eight shades brighter in just one visit. Philips Zoom! WhiteSpeed is another in-office treatment that’s ideal for a professional touchup treatment following your regular cleaning exam. 

If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, Dr. Morris offers an at-home system that features custom trays, providing beautiful results in about two weeks.

Crowns and veneers

While professional whitening can improve some types of intrinsic discoloration, deep or stubborn stains may need a different solution. In these instances, Dr. Morris may recommend a dental crown to surround the entire tooth or a state-of-the-art dental veneer that’s placed on the surface of your tooth.

Both crowns and veneers are made of durable material that looks like your natural tooth, and both can be tinted so they blend in beautifully with the rest of your smile. Many patients opt to have veneers or crowns applied after a professional whitening treatment to ensure the restoration matches the surrounding teeth when they look their best.

Don’t let stained teeth hold you back

Stained teeth can take a toll on your smile and your confidence, but fortunately, professional whitening and cosmetic restorations offer a great solution for patients in Abilene, Sweetwater, Brownwood, Eastland, and the surrounding areas. 

To learn how we can help restore your white, bright smile (and your confidence, too), request an appointment with Morris Dental Associates in Abilene, Texas, today.