What causes tooth discoloration?

What are the main causes of tooth discoloration?

Cleveland Clinic describes two types. Extrinsic discoloration affects the outer enamel and is often caused by foods and drinks. Intrinsic discoloration starts inside the tooth, in the dentin, and is linked to dental trauma and some medicines. MedlinePlus gives a longer list that includes staining foods and drinks, smoking and chewing tobacco, poor oral care, damage to the tooth nerve, excess fluoride, a high fever while teeth are forming, genetic enamel defects, and certain medical conditions.

Which foods and drinks stain teeth?

Cleveland Clinic says coffee, tea, berries, red wine and soy sauce can stain teeth over time. MedlinePlus lists tea, coffee, red wine and iron-containing liquids. Tobacco is a separate cause: Cleveland Clinic says discoloration is more common in people who smoke or use tobacco. Rinsing with water after staining drinks and keeping up regular brushing are among Cleveland Clinic's prevention tips, and our guide on preventing tooth discoloration lists them.

Why do teeth turn yellow with age?

As enamel thins with age, more of the yellowish dentin shows through, according to Cleveland Clinic. That is a change in the tooth, not a surface stain, which is why whitening products may not change it as much as they change a coffee stain. The sources we read do not compare results by cause, so ask your dentist what is realistic for your teeth.

Can medicines discolor teeth?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic says some antihistamines and blood pressure drugs can cause it, and that adults who took tetracycline or doxycycline as children may be affected. MedlinePlus says tetracycline taken before age eight is a cause. Do not stop a prescribed medicine because of tooth color; talk to the prescriber.

Can an injury or a dead nerve discolor a tooth?

Cleveland Clinic says falls, car crashes and sports injuries can discolor teeth, and that a tooth that turns gray may have a dead nerve, which trauma can cause. MedlinePlus lists damage to the tooth nerve. Our guide on what a dead tooth looks like explains the signs. A single tooth that changes color, or one that darkens after an injury, deserves a dental assessment, says Cleveland Clinic, because the cause is inside the tooth.

Can fluoride cause white or discolored spots?

Cleveland Clinic says high fluoride intake during childhood can cause white spots on teeth, and MedlinePlus lists excess fluoride from water, rinses, toothpaste or supplements. The Cleveland Clinic page does not use the term fluorosis. Our guide on removing white spots on teeth covers other causes of white marks.

Do whitening products help, or cause problems?

Cleveland Clinic says some over-the-counter whitening products are safe and effective, but others can damage enamel and increase vulnerability to cavities and erosion. It advises looking for the ADA Seal of Acceptance and avoiding activated charcoal and citric acid products. It does not address whitening strips specifically. Our guides on whitening strips cover strips, including how long to leave them on and why teeth may hurt afterwards, and the question of coconut oil, expired strips and white gums after strips is not covered by the sources we read.

Why do my teeth stain so easily?

The sources we read do not explain why some people stain faster. Plausible reasons that sit within them are thinner enamel, more staining drinks, tobacco, a lack of cleaning and medicines, and a dentist can look at your own situation. MedlinePlus says good oral hygiene helps with stains from food or drink and with discoloration caused by poor cleaning, and that persistent color after a thorough cleaning is a reason to contact a professional.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to your appointment.

• Is my discoloration on the surface or inside the tooth?
• Will whitening work for this cause?
• Could a medicine or injury be the cause?
• Is one dark tooth a sign of a dead nerve?
• What should I avoid to slow staining?

Frequently asked questions