Little-Known Causes of Stained Teeth

People usually blame sweets and coffee for stained teeth, but there are other reasons, too. Here are some of them.

Medication

Most medicines have side effects, and some of them result in or contribute to teeth discoloration. Certain types of antibiotics, for example, create a blue-gray or yellow-brown color to teeth. Cough syrups, meanwhile, cause dryness in the mouth, a condition perfect for decay since it impairs salivary secretion, removing the mouth’s natural cleaner of plaque, dirt, and stain.

Excessive Fluoride

Too much or too little of something is damaging. The same thing applies to fluoride. Although fluoride is an element that helps keep the teeth stronger, too much of it could result in fluorosis, a condition characterized by the increased porosity of the enamel and marked by white spots, brown stains, or cloudy patches.

Pool Water

The pH level of the water in an average pool is basic. Since solids dissolve in acids and solidify in bases, tiny particles of food in your mouth tend to harden when exposed to water in swimming pools. The antimicrobial components of the pool water also break down protein in your mouth and combine them with the solidified minerals, resulting in yellowish-brown spots.

If you have severely discolored teeth and would like to make your smile look better, visit a cosmetic dentist from a Wilkes-Barre dental practice. Generally, tooth discoloration is treated using whitening methods such as deep bleaching.