Lesser-Known Reasons Your Teeth Are Discolored

Now that Zoom and video calls have fully become part of day-to-day life for so many people, worries about having white, bright teeth are also becoming more common. Feeling great about your smile can certainly inspire you to smile more, and smiling more can change your outlook, your relationships, and even your professional life. 

Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff know that feeling uncomfortable about how you look when you smile can have a big impact on how you interact with the world. That’s one of the biggest reasons we offer both at-home whitening kits and in office Zoom! Whitening. We also provide information on how to keep your teeth white over time. 

Most people know the common causes of discoloration. For example, it’s no surprise that smoking tobacco stains teeth. Here, we discuss some of the lesser-known causes of discoloration. 

Intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration

Before we get to the specific causes, we’d like to note that there are two different types of discoloration for teeth. The first and most common is extrinsic, which means the discoloration is coming from outside your tooth. An example is staining from smoking or from foods or beverages. 

The second type of discoloration is intrinsic, and that means it comes from inside your tooth. Intrinsic discoloration could be due to a few different causes, but it may look more gray than yellow, and it may not be something that can easily be corrected, although veneers could be an option. 

The common causes

As we noted, extrinsic discoloration is a more common type of discoloration. Here are a few of the outside reasons your teeth might be looking a bit less brilliant than you’d prefer: 

Foods

Dark-colored foods, like blueberries or soy sauce, can stain your teeth. Even marinara sauce can be problematic for some folks. 

Beverages

Coffee and red wine are two common causes of tooth discoloration. Dark-colored soda can also lead to stains. Consider using a straw if you consume these drinks regularly. 

Poor hygiene

Your daily brushing and flossing routine is crucial for good oral health, and visiting our office regularly for routine cleanings is also important. Helping you have a healthy mouth is Dr. Hiroshige’s main goal, but good dental hygiene also results in a brighter, whiter smile. 

The unusual causes

Along with those relatively common extrinsic causes of discoloration, some other factors can come into play. For example, your tooth color is largely dependent on your genes. 

There isn’t just one shade of white, and the whiteness—or yellowness—of your teeth comes down to DNA. Along with the natural color, the thickness of your enamel is also genetic. Over time, tooth enamel wears thin, allowing the yellowish dentin to show through. 

Here are some other, less well-known causes of tooth discoloration. 

Trauma

Getting hit in the face with a bat during a baseball game as a child can lead to discoloration later on. Similar traumatic events like a bad fall or an auto accident can lead to discoloration. 

Medications

Antihistamines and blood pressure medications are associated with discoloration. Certain antibiotics taken during childhood can lead to tooth discoloration as an adult. Some cancer treatments are also associated with discoloration. 

Diseases

Some health conditions can discolor your teeth. Certain eating disorders or metabolic diseases, along with liver disease and celiac disease are all intrinsic causes of discoloration. 

What to do about it

If you find yourself feeling unhappy about how your smile looks, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hiroshige. You may be surprised to learn what options are available to you!