Are you noticing that your teeth are changing colour? You're not alone. Many people notice their teeth changing colour, and there is usually a reason why. This article will discuss four of the most common reasons your teeth might be changing colour. Keep reading to find out more!
1. Poor oral hygiene habits
A common reason for teeth changing colour is poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing frequently enough or well enough. Not properly brushing and flossing will mean that food and drink that can stain your teeth will be left on the surface of your teeth.
2. Acidic foods and drinks
Acidic foods and drinks are defined as things that contain low pH levels. Examples of acidic foods include most citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, some tomatoes like grape tomatoes, sports drinks, and ice cream. Although you should consume acidic foods and drinks in moderation, you should also avoid brushing soon after eating or drinking something acidic. Doing so can cause some of the enamel that the acid products have weakened to begin wearing away. This will only lead to discolouration problems that become worse over time.
3. Tobacco use
Whether it be smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco, tobacco can stain teeth, so they appear yellow or brown. When you smoke or chew tobacco, the smoke comes into contact with your teeth and can also stay on your teeth for an extended period each day. This smoke begins to break down the tooth enamel and causes it to wear away at an accelerated rate. The chemicals found in tobacco can also erode the tooth enamel as well, exposing the dentin underneath.
4. Medications
Medications are another reason that teeth can change colour. Many medications can cause your teeth to darken in colour. Two common medications that affect tooth colour are minocycline and amoxicillin. Minocycline is an antibiotic usually prescribed for acne treatment, while amoxicillin is a type of penicillin usually prescribed for treating different kinds of infections. These medications should not be stopped or changed without consulting a medical professional. If you notice changes to your tooth colour after taking these medications, talk to your dentist about if you can use them less frequently or in smaller dosages. Alternatively, your dentist may be able to switch you over to another medication that has fewer side effects on the enamel of your teeth.
For more information, please contact your dentist.
Share15 February 2022
When I had my first child, I was a nervous wreck. Every book I read gave different advice, and I just wanted to be right! By the time I had my third child, some of the stress had abated. I now realised, there were tons of different perspectives on everything related to raising children including dentistry. To help parents, I have created this blog dedicated to unraveling dental myths about children. I am including posts that weigh both sides of issues such as thumb sucking, dental caries, breastfeeding, flossing and any other topic I can think of. I hope you find the information you need to unravel dental myths, but most importantly, I hope you find some peace of mind. With kids and dentistry, there can be more than one right answer, and I want you to be able to relax and go with the answer that's right for you.
