If your teeth aren’t as white as they once were, you aren’t alone. Since dental enamel is naturally porous, stains can seep in overtime, creating a yellowed smile. Fortunately, avoiding some of the common causes of discoloration and working with your dentist can help.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

1. Pigmented Foods

Heavily pigmented foods and beverages, such as chocolate, soda, berries, tomato sauce, coffee, tea, and red wine, have tannins that can seep into your teeth and cause discoloration. This impact is amplified the longer you consume these items, so consider enjoying a varied diet. You can also keep stains from taking root by swishing your teeth with water after eating these foods.

2. Lifestyle Habits

Nicotine can give your teeth a yellow tint, and cigarettes will also coat your enamel in tar and other sticky substances. Alternatively, brushing too aggressively can erode protective dental enamel, showing more of the yellow inner dentin underneath.

If you smoke or brush aggressively, talk with your dentist about ways to stop. Certain medications can make smoking less enjoyable, and switching to a power toothbrush with a pressure sensor could help you brush more gently.

3. Some Medications

Certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline, can discolor teeth, and chemotherapy can also discolor dental enamel. Talk with your dentist and family doctor about the medications you're prescribed, and whether any of them could change your smile. They may be able to prescribe something else, or offer whitening suggestions.

If your teeth have seen better days and you want to brighten your smile, turn to John D. Mainwaring, DDS in Orange, CT. Since forming his practice, this trusted dentist has been providing entire families with comprehensive dental care, including Zoom! whitening. To learn more about how he can help you, visit his website or schedule an appointment at (203) 799-6625.