Teeth can get discoulored due to stains on the surface or by alteration of the tooth material. Discoloration may occur when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained. This may be caused by coffee, wine, cola, tobacco, smoking. In some people discoloration may occur because of changes in inner structure of the tooth (the dentin which may become dark or get a yellow tint).
The common reasons for tooth discoloration are as follows.
- Excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood,
- Exposure of unborn child to tetracycline antibiotics,
- Use of tetracycline antibiotics in children younger than 8 years,
- Trauma to the teeth.
Tooth discoloration may be age-related in some cases. This occurs due to discoloration of tooth enamel and the inner structure of the tooth – the dentin. Dentin has a naturally tendency to turn yellow over time. Rarely tooth discoloration may be due to an inborn condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta. The teeth in this disorder are discolored gray, amber or purple.
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Treatment and Prognosis
The treatment of tooth discolouration depends on the cause of the discoloration. Some commonly used measures for it are:
- maintaining good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly
- bonding, veneers and certain over-the-counter whitening agents
Prognosis is good if only the enamel is stained. However if the dentin is stained it is more difficult to remove. At times discoloration due to food/drink such as coffee can be removed by professional cleaning. However, sometimes it can be permanent and cannot be removed by professional cleaning.
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