Why Do Teeth Darken?
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
The aesthetics of the smile depends not only on genetic factors but also on the quality of oral care, attention to health and lifestyle. Teeth discoloration is among the world's most common dental problems. Teeth darken for many reasons, and tooth decay is not always the cause.
Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not brushing long enough, not brushing often enough, or not being thorough leads to accumulating deposits on the surfaces of teeth and interdental spaces. In the early stages, the plaque has a yellow color and soft consistency (it is relatively easy to remove by brushing teeth thoroughly twice a day). Gradually, soft deposits harden and darken, turning into tartar. Only a visit to the dental hygienist can clean away the hardened tartar.
Food Coloring
Coffee and tea have the greatest negative impact on teeth out of all beverages. They both contain tannins and dark pigments that stick to dental enamel. These substances penetrate the deeper layers of tooth structure and cause stains. Gradually, teeth become brown or dark in color. Teeth staining occurs faster and more intensively in people with thin tooth enamel. In the presence of dental plaque, it also darkens since its rough surface can be easily stained with pigments.
Red wine is another strong staining culprit. Anthocyanins, found in grape skins, are powerful pigments that give the berries their dark color.
Carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, soy sauce, tomato paste, red and blue berries, dark vegetables and fruits, and many sweets contain coloring agents. Poor oral hygiene allows the pigments from these foods to accumulate in the enamel, causing the teeth to have a dark color.
Smoking
The tar and pigments present in tobacco smoke settle on the enamel, forming dense deposits. People who smoke for more than five years have more visible effects. Smoking causes yellowing of teeth and darkening of the gums, which is called smoker's melanosis. It cannot be removed at home, only by professional ultrasonic cleaning or dental laser.
Tooth Injuries
Dental nerve removal often makes teeth turn dark over time, especially if the root canals are severely damaged by disease. Such teeth become pink or red in color. In most cases, teeth appear red when the dental pulp is damaged, or dental injuries and traumas cause bleeding inside the tooth. Another reason could be severe inflammation.
Aging Process and Physiological Changes
Young people usually have thick, smooth and flat dental enamel. If the enamel is healthy, the inner dentin of the tooth is almost invisible. As for older people, their enamel layer becomes thinner and weaker, exposing the darker tissues of teeth. Moreover, the enamel tends to wear away and chip off unevenly - the biting edges of teeth are affected more than the central parts. Age-related thinning of enamel and translucency of dentin give the teeth a yellowish tint.
Medications Side Effects
Some medications may lead to tooth discoloration. There is a special dental term called tetracycline teeth, a phenomenon that is associated with band-like yellow staining caused by prolonged use of tetracycline antibiotics. Other kinds of medications are also known to darken teeth, including antidepressants, iron and copper salt-containing solutions, antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, and chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes.
Dental Problems and Treatment Mistakes
Cavities and other dental diseases provoke the appearance of spots of different shades on the enamel. For example, dental fluorosis causes a change in color and affects the integrity of tooth structure.